So This Is It (Open)

[Preston Salabim]

"That threatening and attacking someone while they eat lunch is rude."

Obviously.

[Allison Kazim]

'So is your face.' Thankfully, that thought remained unspoken.

"Agreed." Another slash, albeit a longer pause between the strikes compared to last time as she struck the stone.

"Kik!"

_____________________________________

Manafication - Drawing on energy and channeling it into her weapon, Ali is able to add 1/2 her ENG to her attack.

Attack: 15
Qi Uses: 5/10

[Preston Salabim]

He'd just frown in silence as she continued to hit the Gaol.

OOC Qi Scar 34 5/5

[Allison Kazim]

As the gaol broke into rubble around her, sense seemed to come with the burst of sunlight and fresh air. Ali fell to one knee as the exertion and pain swept over her, the damage of the land around Salabim enough to feel like it was ripping along her body and stealing her breath.

What was she doing? Her first day here, and she was already doing things that would have ended...unpleasantly for her back home. To say the least. As it was, she'd be lucky if her sponser didn't hear about it and have her forcefully brought back.

Another shudder ripped through her body at the thought. No. She'd fought too hard to get here to throw it all away on the likes of some noble who was too busy looking down his glasses at her, too wrapped up in his own superiority back home to consider someone might actually not want to worship the ground he walked on, to copy his every move like an adoring fan.

She'd prove him wrong. The old fashioned way, if she had to.

"Very well, Mr. Salabim." Her tone turned almost prim as she pushed herself up, refusing to be in any position before him long enough to look like submission. She swayed on her feet, the darkness finally fading from her vision only to surge right back. The edge of anger rippled through any gentility she might have had as she sheathed her blade. "Your point has been made."

[Preston Salabim]

His shoulders relaxed as the hostilities ceased. That was good, he didn't enjoy fighting. And he still didn't understand the Qi scar that was forming around him. It was troubling, but he didn't want to let her know that. It was unbecoming.

"May I?"

He'd offer, channeling and holding on to the mana of a holy type. She'd recognize his mana as a support type at least.

[Allison Kazim]

The magic was one she was familiar with, the kind she expected from him. After a moment's pause, she nodded at his offer though she wasn't fond of hte idea. Still, her dignity was reminding her to keep up appearances while she was ahead.

"You may."

[Preston Salabim]

He'd nod before channeling the mana.

"Kiron Rot".

And the energy would flow from him into her body. It wouldn't heal her injuries. But it would help soothe her spirit and restore some of her energy. It was the least he could do. She obviously needed the lesson learned as she insisted on it. But he took no pleasure in it.

"Did you learn anything?"

He doubted it. She'd basically bashed her head against a wall the whole time. But one never knows.

Qi use 3/12

Rejuvenation - Holy Element - Support Archetype - Preston is able to infuse another with his Qi energy granting them another use of their Qi (Granted Qi abilities do not grant UP on use)

[Allison Kazim]

The small rush of energy was a welcome relief, restoring some of what she had lost and clearing her mind. Her temples throbbed at his question, biting back her original answer for the sake of being civilized.

"That threatening and attacking someone while they eat lunch is rude." She began dusting the dust and dirt from her clothes. If it had been almost anyone else, her tone would have had humor in it.

[Preston Salabim]

He'd chuckle a little bit like she'd made a joke.

"Well, that is true."

He'd go back to his seat.

"If you'd like to join me you are welcome to."

While they were not exactly friends, it might be nice for her to have some normalcy.

[Allison Kazim]

Seriously? After all that, he was allowing her to sit with him. And he was chuckling. She stared as he returned to her seat, forcing herself to some semblance of calm before he addressed her again, though not succeeding as much as she'd like to admit.

For a moment, her dignity was at war with herself. On one hand, a noble was inviting her to sit with him. The same noble she had just attacked, the same class of people who had given her a position her whole life, teasing her along. On the other hand, her dignity was also making it very clear that her injuries were enough that she wouldn't be able to just walk back to her dorm or the infirmary and sleep off the damage. Collapsing before him was not an option.

"Thank you," she managed after a moment, taking a seat across from him. At least long enough for her body to regain some of what it needed for her to leave.

[Preston Salabim]

"You're welcome. I'd not want you to feel worse should you stumble. The storm can be quite painful."

He'd take a bite of his salad. He'd not offer that, it was his lunch after all. Taking a moment to chew and swallow he'd look up at her again, adjusting his glasses.

"I would be remiss if I did not ask. But have I done something to offend you? Your actions seemed to be quite uncalled for, and while I recognize that we are not home and the normal social dynamics do not apply here. I feel like your aggression indicates that I've personally done something to invoke your ire. Should that be the case I'd like to find a way to remedy that so we may work together in the future as needed."

[Allison Kazim]

"I noticed," Ali said dryly. She shook her head. Painful was definitely the word for it. Then came his question and all that came with it. It took her by surprise enough that Ali blinked, staring at him for a moment again before composing herself. She wasn't sure if it was simply because they weren't at home or not, but it was not the sort of thing she expected to hear.

Not to put her on the spot or anything. She sighed under her breath, feeling what pride she had sinking further until she pulled it back out of the hole it wanted to disappear into.

"No." She gave a small shake of her head. "There is nothing to remedy. You have not personally done anything to me, despite what my...temporary lapse in judgement might suggest."

[Preston Salabim]

"I see..."

He'd say slowly. Weighing her.

"Then what was the cause of it? If you had to hazard a guess."

[Allison Kazim]

"Uh..."

Rock, meet hard place. His gaze practically pinned Ali in place. There was no way she could tell him the truth, and lies just felt awkward and pathetic in her mind.

[Preston Salabim]

"I thought as much."

He'd say as he returned to his salad.