Two Left Feet (Destiny/open)

[David B.]

David shrugged.

"I'm actually surprised you didn't point him to Mathew... Amtrum seems the type to get angry at his subordinates for not naming him the strongest. After all, he believes it."

Admittedly, David had been bitter toward Mathew, since the wedding. The man had invited Barker into their midst, all the while grinning. He met with him in private. And he still told nobody. Yeah... He was not pleased with the Earth Dragon. Not in the slightest.

[Kyrie Blaze]

"While it could perhaps be advantageous for me to simply point him in Mathew's direction, David, I would rather he round out his abilities... There may come a day where it can save any one of our lives."

For the good of everyone, she believed they all had to improve. She didn't necessarily 'like' Cain, but, she wasn't going to let that put others in danger. She held David's gaze a moment, then looked back at Cain. Unless he woke up right off the bat, the water would still trickle down to splash on his face.

[David B.]

"Advantagous? Then you don't disagree with him- you simply didn't want to say so for the sake of a new recruit?"

He leaned back in the air.

"Interesting. So then- which of us do you think stand the best chance if we were to fight Barker one on one? And no going around it like you did at our first meeting- if you had to place bets on one, who would it be?"

He made it clear as well that he would tell nobody her answer- and she should do the same.

[Kyrie Blaze]

"By advantageous I meant that it was possible he could be less of a threat to me. With everything going on, that has gone on, I feel less inclined to trust those just joining our ranks, though it is entirely possible that those already within our ranks are just as much of a threat..."

But she frowned. Would she still answer that even though she hadn't worded her original statement quite right.

"Being that I sorely lack information on Barker--his abilities, strengths, weaknesses, qi...I can not fairly say which of you, personally, would stand the best chance against Barker." Making it obvious she knew it was to pit Elder versus Elder in this scenario, while still keeping in mind the intended enemy to fight was Barker, himself. "This is even true for the Elders. But, without discounting Leon, I would take him out of contention. Each of you would need to utilize all of your senses, from sensory to instincts to the extra input from each of your qi. While lacking sight does not make him the weakest, it would put him at a disadvantage even with his other senses amplified to compensate.

"So then, between you and Mathew..." She closed her eyes before they could give her away to how much she disliked choosing between the two, then flicked them open again. She also hated to make ill-informed decisions. "By potential on saving himself if the worst were to happen, perhaps Mathew unless you can manipulate your qi in such a way that would enable you to continue living even with a life-threatening wound if it didn't automatically end your life. And yet you are obviously still vying to grasp further growth, which cannot be discounted. I can not say I have seen Mathew relentlessly striving for more, though in his defence...he has other duties and will not always be training, nor do I keep tabs on him to see if he is."

She paused, considering her words. Furthering ones own strength could also mean that they were not in contention, though she believed that that was not the case, here. It was difficult to decide, even so. If she wanted, she could say Mathew...and say David if Mathew ever asked. But, the thing was, she didn't think Mathew ever would. So that option was out.

The part of her that wanted her family protected and safe didn't want either fighting against Barker. The voice of fear was definitely powerful, but she knew she could not listen to it.

"...I think, perhaps, I will still choose Mathew. Not out of loyalty or thinking that he is the be all, end all...or that you could not endure." She finally concluded, still not absolutely certain of her choice. She shook her head. It was a "safe" bet. And not that she didn't admire David just as much as she did Mathew. "Subject to change via future information."

[David B.]

David listened and smiled at her final answer, ging a little nod.

"A dependable choice. He has toughness in his bones, that's for sure."

David said nothing else on the topic. She had chosen at last- and it was the on he suspected. Not because of his earlier statements about getting in good with Amtrum- David would never mention it to the fellow- but because Mathew proved everything he had, all the time. He told people what he could do, or showed them. David just waited for combat and left it there. He didn't use any of his most powerful techniques outside of it, unless necessary. Recently, he felt a surge in his Qi, and had turned it to a few different persuits, and he was growing there, beyond what he thought was possible.

But again, he said nothing about them. He respected her choice. He would let out a breath and glance down at Cain.

"Well, maybe he heard and will seek help from the Earth Dragon anyway. The kid seems like Amtrums type."

[Destiny]

"I met Mathew already, he's the one who suggested I join the Dragons."

Cain wiped his face, slowly. His body ached all over, but being conscious was a step up, so far.

"Thus far, the extent of his 'help' has been suggesting others to meet with first."

He sounded far less annoyed than he felt.

[Kyrie Blaze]

"Then perhaps it is more worthwhile to listen to his advice than any other's." her tone held an almost questioning lilt from where she was behind him, and an eyebrow arched critically. She later gave him the same advice, more or less; if he would rather respect Mathew's advice over her own, then that was fine. Just so long as he took it...which, by his meeting with the Storm Dragon, perhaps he was.

The blonde took a slow sip of the water, more to moisten her lips and throat than anything, and carefully recapped the bottle. It also gave her a little bit of time. She slid it back into her shadow from her crouched position.

"You can feel all your limbs, correct..? How much pain are you in?" Kyrie mildly questioned, placing a cautionary hand on his shoulder before passing the other over the back of his neck and down along his spine, searching for any abnormalities along the spinal cord. Of course she was no doctor, but ensuring he was okay now that he was awake was better. He could actually let them know if something was wrong. "Do you feel nauseous?"

'...oh for an x-ray or MRI machine...'

And someone that would know how to use it properly.

[David B.]

David stood.

"Meeting and talking are fine- i'm talking about training. I'd offer it myself, but I'm... On a leave of absence for the time being. You should look into broadening your strength- even Kiyr could help you there."

He would look at Kiyr and grin.

"Yeah...theres an idea. How about you train with him, as much as possible? I'm sure Amtrum would like that idea. It would give you both some physical fitness. In fact..."

He drew from his pocket a fruit* and would hand it to Cain, whether he had to crouch to do so or not didn't matter.

"Eat it. Then both of you will fight me at once. Every now and then we'll get together and do it again so I can see how you have grown. This will show me what kind of leader you can be, Kiyr, and will also help Cain to prove himself to be more than just war fodder."

He would wait for Cain to eat it before stepping back to allow them to chat a moment, if they wanted.

OOC: *Candy Tear- This candy is a light blue, and in the shape of a tear drop. It can easily be consumed in a single bite and seems to almost melt in the ingesters mouth. This candy can heal most minor wounds from cuts, and bruises, to concussions or internal bleeding. Muscles will even mend themselves after ingesting. Heals small wounds up to ripped muscles. +5 Con For thread ingested in.

[Kyrie Blaze]

Kyrie just blinked up at David as he spoke. Her gaze flickered for a moment as she considered the implications of what David was saying and doing, then her eyes quieted in thoughtful introspection. She shifted in her crouch, feeling a rush of mixed emotion towards this new development. David had picked up on her somewhat-neutral dislike of Cain.

She had picked up on his arrogance and it rubbed her the wrong way entirely. True that David, Mathew, and Leon each had their own arrogance, but it was almost expected of them. They had strength enough to back it up, whereas Cain wasn't at that level.

And neither was she.

Kyrie could push aside her distaste for Cain and extend a hand to teach him. Because it didn't matter if she liked someone or not, if she was to become an Elder, she would need to lead them all, not just those she liked.

Challenge.

That was what this was, and she could do no other than rise to it. She blinked a few times, eyes still firmly centered on David. She bowed her head, fisting a hand over her heart from her crouched position. Kyrie's acceptance was silent from behind Cain, ultimately letting him have his say, first. Her gaze lifted again and she plucked the water bottle thoughtfully from her shadow, waiting for Cain to either accept or attempt to refuse the Elder. The crystalline gaze the slender blonde had gleamed slightly; already she was thinking of where she would start, and what she could do for the fight ahead.

[Destiny]

Cain stood up to take the Candy Tear, looking at it once it was in his hand with something akin to apprehension in his eyes. The moment quickly passed, however, as given how he'd been treated thus far by this... "family", he doubted they'd poison him.

Not yet, anyway.

He brought the tear to his mouth, but didn't quite let it pass through his lips. Instead, he held it in his hand as he brought it back down, both hands resting in his pockets as he faked a chewing motion for a few seconds before swallowing. Cain stretched slightly, hiding the pain of his muscles screaming in protest, then nodded towards Kiyr, speaking softly but politely.

"I'm fine."

Oh, he felt like he'd just been run over by a truck, but so far, nothing felt broken. He'd been lucky, and Cain was going to milk that luck for all it was worth.

"I will take whatever training is offered me. Finding out which was the strongest Dragon was more of a... personal interest of mine, I suppose."

Cain gave what he assumed would pass off as a goodnatured laugh, smiling towards David. He lifted his hands out of his pockets, leaving the tear inside.

"As the Storm Dragon commands."

The words themselves could be taken as sarcastic, though the tone is kept respectful. Cain shifted to the side, giving Kiyr some room to work with while he waited for the second round to begin. His body already ached, but he ignored it. It would be worth it.

[David B.]

David, not even breathing hard, would roll a shoulder before turning around. He stared at Cain for a long moment, noting that the kids scratches had not healed- but he said nothing about it. He would give a small smile before letting out an easy breath.

Lazily, he would gesture them forward to attack.

"Come on, then."

He would shift his right foot back just a little as he waited.

OOC: New stats-


Strength: 60
Dexterity: 60
Constitution: 76
Intelligence: 80
Wisdom: 115
Charisma: 124

[Kyrie Blaze]

'...uh huh. Well, if he wishes to fight banged up, that just means I need to work harder.'

Regardless of that, however, she did give Cain a mildly disapproving stare; she had seen tears work before, and had even experienced it on a couple occasions. Now how was she going to get close enough and keep David busy enough to allow Cain to grasp some sort of advantage... In so far as the blonde knew, Cain didn't yet - or maybe wouldn't ever - have any type of Qi. Which meant that it would be close quarters for him.

Which meant...

Oh.

Well. She didn't really want to--unlike with Rai - who had been completely naive and it blew over his head - this hit a little closer to home. A lot closer, actually. And...

Well, she had her window. She had to use it or lose it. Once the fight started in earnest it would be nearly impossible to try this diversion unless circumstances were absolutely right.

"One moment, s'il vous plaît, David."

With that hopefully stalling the beginning, she brushed passed Cain as he shifted to the side, giving him no indication that he should use this opportunity she was giving him. Well, no verbal or visual cue as she moved forward by him, but a trail of shadow eked out from beneath the bottom of her shirt to beckon him forwards as it formed into a hand with a coaxing finger...before dissipating.

Kyrie didn't dare look back to see if Cain caught it, just kept her eyes on David as she moved towards him without hurrying. As always she moved with a subtle sway, which may have been just a little more visible, and a faintly hopeful smile traced her lips...but it was her eyes that she hoped would snare him and keep his attention: they were soft and open with their expressiveness.

As she drew near the blonde lifted her hands. One brushed at her hair, and the other made touched lightly just above his abdomen. She glanced down, feeling the beginnings of a blush as she watched her hand, briefly, then looked up. The tips of her fingers traced higher, moving to one side of his neck and behind, coaxing him to lean down as she leaned up and into him. For a moment or two longer, she held his gaze and then allowed her eyes to flutter closed. Kyrie tipped her chin up to be able to whisper:

"I do not know when you will be back, next, so can we...talk after this..?"

The thing with acting...was that it couldn't be a lie. It was so much more believable when it was real, but the words were fabricated for her ploy. She still wasn't entirely comfortable with using this tactic, for those reasons alone.

As she did so, shadow coiled around her legs, beneath her pants, and snuck out to curl across the pavement, into David's shadow as a precaution. She wasn't about to put herself in such a vulnerable position without some kind of safety line.

[Destiny]

Cain would look down at the shadow, frowning slightly. Now he had a better idea of what exactly Kyrie's ability was, and the thought of everyone but him having one was frustrating. However, he wouldn't allow it to distract him, as instead he began to step off to the side somewhat, as if to give Kyrie and David their time to talk alone.

Slowly, casually, he began to walk towards David's side, so as not to appear threatening and hopefully, to escape notice while she distracted him.

[David B.]

David stared at her, cocking an eyebrow as she sauntered over. As she got in close, pressing her hand to his abs, trailing it up, his face would flush. He would clear his throat before glancing to the ground, feeling the air about him shift a little. His face would relax into a small smile before his hands would reach out and take her by the waist before lifting her-

Into a kiss. Gentle, and quick. He would blush despite himself before pulling away a little out of breath.

"If you want to trick someone, make sure they don't have my Qi."

That being, he felt Cain shift around, to try and move in his direction. After kissing her, He would then turn and chuck the girl at the male in an attempt to send them at the pavement.

[Kyrie Blaze]

...he smiled. Her heart picked up, faster than even the quick tempo it gained when she first started her walk towards the dark-haired man. At the touch, the slide of his hands against her waist, her eyes went wide. The blush became darker as she was lifted--the shadow tether extended. For some kind of - any kind of - stability, her hands curled against him: one on his arm, the other on his shoulder and--

--and--

--and his lips were soft. her body relaxed and despite her surprise she found herself returning the kiss.

'WhataboutDelilah?' Guilt flashed through her a split moment before hie drew away. Despite it being a quick kiss, Kyrie's eyes had closed partway, only to flash open with his words. A quick, shaky inhale, part truth, part disguise--and as he turned and chucked her, she got a couple feet away before--

POOF!

--she was sucked into David's shadow through her shadow tie: her body simply dissipated mid-air, trailing wisps of shadow that soon disappeared the only sign she'd been there at all. As soon as she recovered from a lurch, Kyrie would reach down from her crouch to pull David's legs into the shadow to ground him. If she was successful, she would pull him in to his knees to reduce his mobility until he broke free.

And unless he had something up his sleeve...he would and could.