Training Grounds

@✥Kai-Kwangju -shakes head-
That's... not what I meant.
You can like whoever you want, I don't care.
Even if it's me, though I can't say I understand your taste.

-quirks the corner of my mouth up-
Because I know you too well, Kai.
I've seen you in all modes of undress more times than I can count.
I've grown up with you.
I can't possibly have any kind of casual with you.
We're too close for that.

-crinkles nose when you ruffle my hair, fixing it so it covers my right eye again-
Ugly is also what people stare at.
Or what they pretend not to look at.
...

-pulls my hair away from my face, staring you in the eyes-
You can't possibly tell me this is attractive.

-has a raised reddish scar running from just below the inner corner of my right eye, across my eyebrow, and disappearing into the hairline-
This is not attractive.

*disgust?

@Kiseop /raises an eyebrow and pokes you/
What? I can't find a hot guy that just happens to be my best friend as attractive? I AM a 16 year old boy, you know. Just because I don't act like it doesn't mean it's not true.
/hums/
I have to admit though. In the humblest way possible, I don't understand why you don't want to do me.
/laughs slightly and ruffles your hair/
You're a dummy, Kiseop. Ugly is what you call things that you can't bear to look at.
I'm looking at you, aren't I?
Am I cringing or spitting in disgust.

@✥Kai-Kwangju -nods slowly-
May have mentioned in passing a few times, yes...

-refuses to look up at you, if only to hide the fact that my face is turning redder and redder-
...

-looks up when you hold my face, left eye starting to water against my best attempts at holding back the tears-
Th-Then what was all that about me desiring you and seeing you as ually provocative?
I... would never think that of you.
That you would think that I DO...

-flinches when you kiss my scar and jerks away, closing my eyes, one a muddy cloudy color, one clear brown and glistening with tears-
D-Don't! Please...
It's... ugly...
Don't touch it. Don't look at it...

@Kiseop /groans in exasperation as I run my hand through my hair/
Have I ever told you how much of a ing IDIOT you are, Kiseop?
/holds your arm/
Why can't I want you?
Sure, we're only boys so I can't tell you that I love just as our parents do or such in such romantic ways. But I can tell you this - you are someone truly important to me that I cherish. I fight in that arena because I want to survive to see another day with you in it.
And let the gods hear me as I swear - never will come the day when I abandon you for frivolous things like fame and glory.
/sighs and holds your face, more gently/
I can't promise you forever, nor can I promise you love.
However, that does not defeat that our friendship and bridges will never burn down.
/swipes your hair away and presses my lips against your scar/

@✥Kai-Kwangju -stares back at you, frightened now-
Y-Yes, I do...
And... and you might! I don't know!
You shouldn't want me!

-shakes head again, trying my best to clear things up-
I-It's not because I desire you, Kai, I swear!
And even if I DID, I don't want you like tha-

-is cut off when you kiss me, and is too startled to do anything for a few moments-
Ngh!

-snaps back and struggles, pushing you away from me, sliding down the wall to sit heavily on the floor, knees bent-
S-Stop, Kai.
Just... stop.

-covers my face with my hands, fingers tracing over the scar tissue over my right eye under my fringe-
You can't love me.
You can't /desire/ me.
You can't want me.
And if you say you do... I wouldn't believe you.
You're made for someone better, Kai.
You'll go places, be famous.
And I'll... stay a gladiator and die in the arena someday.

@Kiseop /growls as I narrow my eyes dangerously/
Not what I want? You think that you're not what I want, Kiseop?
/grabs your face and glares into your eyes/
If I didn't want you, would I be doing this?
Tell me, how am I making a mistake? I want you.
/hesitates and loosens my grip/
Or is it that you're so dense that you don't realize that you want me?
/rips the shield out of your hands and throws it away/
Have you not noticed how flustered you are with me? The tension between two close youths with raging hormones? Your body realizes your desires but your mind fails to. It'll only do so once you experience a taste of what I have to offer.
/kisses you harshly, forcing your mouth open skillfully/

@✥Kai-Kwangju -is struggling the whole way to your chambers, trying to get free without hurting you-
S-Sto... K-Kai, stop...

-has a death grip on my weapons, and shakes head frantically when you pin me to the wall, dropping my sword and trying to push you away with the shield when you whisper-
N-No... no, I haven't...
Believe me, Kai, I haven't.
Y-You're my best friend, no...
And... and I'm not... what you'd want.
Please, you're making a mistake.

-squeezes my one eye shut, tilting my head forward so my hair can cover part of my face up-
Stop, please...
You're not thinking straight...

@Kiseop /grabs your arm and pulls you toward my chambers swiftly and forcefully/
Shut up and come with me.
/shuts and locks the door behind me. Pins you to the wall, face dangerously close to yours/
Drop your weapons, Kiseop.
/throws my own to the floor and presses my lips to your ear, whispering seductively/
Don't be so modest, hm? Surely you've imagined this scenario times before.

@✥Kai-Kwangju -is too startled to try and evade the whip, digging in my heels to keep you from pulling me closer-
Yes, because you're speci..

-stiffens up and shakes head faster-
No, it's not that.
No, you're wrong.

-clutches my sword and shield to myself at your chuckle-
N-No... I don't... I really don't...
I... I just... I'm n-not... You...

-turns red when my words fall and trip over each other, and spins around, bolting for the exit as fast as I can, hoping to make it to my room before anyone stops me-

@Kiseop /smirks slightly and snaps my whip at you lightly, winding it around your waist and pulling you to me while you're off guard. Leans closer to you/
Because I'm special, perhaps?
Or maybe...
/Inches closer, eyes glinting mischievously/
There's no reason? You just want me for my body?
/hums and steps away, shrugging/
I'm tired. Let us stop our practice.
/chuckles slightly/
I have heard some of the others deem me ually provactive, but never would I have guessed the same for you, Kiseop. My best friend of all people. This is interesting.

@✥Kai-Kwangju -furrows eyebrows a little and tilts head to the side, stepping a little to avoid the sand-
Animosity...?

-freezes when you say "desire," shaking head and turning red-
No, of course not.
Why would I? You're... special.
I'm nothing compared to you.
Why would I desire you?

@Kiseop /shrugs and hums/
To be honest, I'm not exactly sure.
/tosses the knife into the air and tosses sand into your eyes, then leaps and catches the knife, throwing it at you/
Perhaps you have an increased animosity towards me?
/chuckles/
Or maybe you desire me?

@✥Kai-Kwangju -curses softly when your whip goes around my waist, sliding forward so I won't get pulled off balance-
You're welcome.

-unwinds from the whip as best I can and spins around, facing you and covering my torso with the shield-
Mm... I wouldn't really know.
Perhaps?
What makes you think so?

-circles around you, watching your moves like a hawk-

@Heechul /grins and ducks down completely, going under your sword and snaps my whip around your waist, using you as momentum to spin around you/
A gracious complement, my friend.
/smirks slightly/
Our sparring has more...tension than most other matches, don't you think?
/slides behind you and pulls a knife out of my shoulder blade compartment with my teeth/

@✥Kai-Kwangju -braces myself for your landing, and rolls my shoulder with your launch-
Maybe.

-leaps forward, then spins and darts forward, swinging my sword at the last second-
And I thank you.
Practicing helps greatly, as does sparring with you.

@Heechul /Jumps on your shield, using it to launch myself upward/
Always on the defense; aren't you, friend?
/lands behind you, swiping a foot below your calves/
Your fighting style is much more refined. I can tell.
/leaps back, steadying my stance for a less offensive attack/

@✥Kai-Kwangju -gives you a small smile when you snap your whip at me, leaping over it and swinging at you-
Thank you. I have been training more, I think.

-dodges one knife and deflects another with my sword before ducking and rolling under you, shoving up with my shield-
Yes... he's a good teacher.

@Kiseop /wipes the sweat dripping down my chin and twists to face you, weapon raised/
You have gotten much better, Kiseop.
/snaps my barbed whip at your feet/
You must have been training quite a bit.
/charges at you, throwing two knives at you before leaping over you/
With Gladiator Kim, I assume?

@✥Xiumin-Kwangju [You're fine~ I've been busy, so I wouldn't have been able to get to your reply too soon anyways. ><]

For so long after his parents died, Kiseop never really had anyone to look up to. Oh, the instructors taught him well, but they always favored the brawnier, harder-hitting boys than they did the smaller ones. The teen wagered it was only due to his wins and his speed that they even taught him at all. But here was an older gladiator who was willing to teach him his own moves, and Kiseop couldn't be more grateful.

As soon as the light reprimand was given, Kiseop straightened up and fixed his gaze on Xiumin, his solitary dark eye almost glinting in the moonlight. His hair fell away from his vision, and he carefully placed his feet in a ready stance, watching the other gladiator's every move. "Yes, sir," he murmured, rolling his shoulders gracefully in preparation for the training. "Ready when you are."

[post deleted by owner]

( Short and late. Good job Channie
T^T )

"Good." Xiumin chuckles, amused by the boys eagerness. Honestly, he had never been much of a teacher, nor much of a role model... At least not of his knowledge. It was a new experience and as off as it me seem, Xiumin was kind of enthused to try it. Not that he let that bleed into his demeanour of course.

"Lesson one." Xiumin crossed his arms. "You need to see what your enemy is doing, or you may as well just cut your own throat and save them the effort." He said sternly. Honestly the gladiator wasn't sure whether he was acting, shy respectful or just submissive... But it wouldn't do for what he wanted to learn. He needed to observe, and that was crucial for any task.

"Head up. Hair out the way. Then we can get started.

@✥Xiumin-Kwangju Kiseop kept himself from tensing up when Xiumin went and got a practice sword, keeping his eyes on the ground in front of his feet. Even though he knew that what he'd done would likely get him killed by any number of gladiators, even this one who'd helped correct his stance, he didn't want to seem like the type to evade his consequences. Only when Xiumin spoke did Kiseop almost visibly relax, daring to look into the older man's face now.

He could hardly believe his ears. The teen didn't care about the sword tip pressing into his unarmored chest, the weight heavy through his thin tunic, but... Xiumin would actually help him learn? Would teach him? Words failed him, and Kiseop's grip on his sword tightened still further as he tried to convey some type of gratitude without words.

Before he could work up the courage to say anything, though, Xiumin was moving, holding the sword in an odd grip that had Kiseop furrowing his eyebrows... until he stumbled forward from a relatively harmless blow to the back. Reactions kicked into overdrive then, and the teen used the momentum to spin around and land in a ready stance, then dropped it. He had barely seen Xiumin move, or felt it until the blow to his back. If that was just for a demonstration... actually turning it into a fight move would be deadly.

Kiseop bowed his head and lowered his sword, fringe falling to cover his eyes. "I still want to learn, sir. Please... teach me. I won't be conceited, I promise. I really do want to learn."

Xiumin withheld the urge to chuckle, so this was why he was being followed. Idolisation was a curious thing, and honestly Xiumin had never found himself up against it until now. Listening to the other intently Xiumin spun to retrieve himself a sword, approaching the other once more.

With a deep breath, he then spoke. "You have nothing to fear child, you have done no ill deed." He chuckled, spinning the sword in his grip. "Even if you were, they are not my movements. I was taught them." the other hummed, "As soon, you shall be taught them too.... Assuming that is what you want." Leaning forward, he gently rested the tip against the others chest. "It is much more difficult than what is usually taught."

Xiumin wasn't sure if he was taunting or testing the other. He was aiming more for an explanation but how it was coming across; he had no idea. But continuing on, with a swift flick he spun the sword so he was holding it in a way that would be considered backwards, with the blade pointing back down his arm. Then, in a flash, he spun, ducking so he could quickly smack the others back with the hilt of his sword, sending him at the very least stumbling. Xiumin stood straight again, analysing the others reaction.

"Do you still want to learn?"

@✥Xiumin-Kwangju Dip. Parry. .
Bob. Weave. Twist.
Repeat.

No matter how Kiseop tried to change his stance, it never... FELT right. He knew how Xiumin had moved, had replayed it countless times in his head, but somewhere between his watching and his practicing now, something was different. Missing, almost, or at least blurred. The teen's eyebrows furrowed as he tried readjusting his stance, but that would throw off his balance before he could get through the whole sequence. Maybe if he changed it...

No. Kiseop shook his head, jet black hair fanning out from his face before falling near perfectly over his dead eye again. There could be no alteration to these moves. That would be disrespectful to the one who developed them in the first place, if Kiseop wouldn't even try to perfect the originals before modifying them. Taking a deep breath, he went through the stances again, dulled practice sword whooshing through the quiet night air as the stars shone down.

Before he knew it, there was someone on his blind side, moving his arm and kicking his foot back into a wider stance. Kiseop's head turned slowly, and he almost sighed in relief to see Xiumin there... and not angry. A low bow of the head, and Kiseop returned to his now changed position and started going through the sequence. Now it was better. Now it was fixed and moved smoothly.

When the boy finished the whole move from start to finish, he turned to the older gladiator with a small smile of embarrassment. "I... didn't know you'd be watching. I barely heard you approach." His fingers tightened nervously on the hilt of the practice sword as he looked down at the dust on his sandals before he murmured, "If you wish to strike me for stealing your moves, please know that while I would accept the punishment, I never intended it as a mark of disrespect against you, nor did I mean to try and use it against you..."

@Kiseop There was no way Xiumin would have got this far if he couldn't tell he was being followed. It wasn't hard really, the child seemed to think he was being selfish, but he had the gladiators attention more than a few times when out on his little... Escapades. At first he thought nothing of it, just child's play and he let it be. But with the recent deaths and the kingdom crumbling he was beginning to grow a little wary about this stranger and so, he decided to return the favour.

A few twists and turns ahead, it really wasn't hard to keep tabs on the younger as he weaved throughout the darkened castle. Soon, they ended up upon the training grounds and Xiumin could safely say he wasn't really surprised. What did startle him however, was the other practicing /his/ moves.

You see, Xiumin had a unique way of fighting, one designed for the smaller more nimble people as opposed to your usual huge brawny gladiator. He watched the younger for awhile before stepping forward, deciding it was his time to be revealed as he approached silently, not a word spoken as he kicked the others foot into the right position, also fixing the others arm before stepping back once more; still wordless.

@✥Xiumin-Kwangju Kiseop was never really the stalking type.

Well, maybe just a little bit. His abilities to skirt around an opponent's peripheral vision earned him the nickname "Black Ghost," and he rather prided himself on that... after all, his own mother had been a master at being a "ghost." At any rate, whatever he was doing wasn't STALKING. Merely following and observing and hopefully learning.

At the grand age of 16 or 17, Kiseop was at a stage in life where he looked up to certain people a great deal, and now, none more so than head gladiator Xiumin. Whether or not that was his official title mattered not to starstruck Kiseop, who'd taken it upon himself to watch the older man's training and try to imitate the same moves late at night when no one could see him and call him out on it. 'Course, that meant having to go to great lengths to avoid being seen. But there was no good thing gained without at least a little sacrifice.

So Kiseop watched from the shadows, his one good eye flitting over every square centimeter of movement and muscle and iron, committing what he saw to memory. It was mere observance, after all. Not stalking.