Tri-District Tournament Day Two: Bridgerton vs Cox

[lance]

The decision to hold each of the top 16 matches one at a time instead of simultaneously, while time consuming, proved to be a massive hit. Instead of splitting their attention eight ways, the spectators of three districts oohed and ahhed as one by one, more victors emerged and more combatants were eliminated. A forfeit, a decimation, even a severed leg that had to be quickly treated so that the afflicted girl wouldn't bleed out all over the stage - and there were still three rounds remaining.

The dawn of the next day started off, and with eight contestants remaining the stakes and tensions only rose. The noble families of One and the Games royalty of Four overwhelmingly won out the previous day, and Two of all places saw their hopes of a victory placed solely on a girl with no notable name to carry all the way to the end. With half the matches consisting solely of those with Victor's blood in them - a civil war in One between Fray and Le Roux (two families that had lost many to the Games but, interestingly, never at the same time) and a clash between the Fray dynasty and a relative of Four's own Annie Morrisen, the other matches seemed like they would pale in comparison.

The only match of the day to find not a hint of tribute blood, Victor or otherwise, there was nevertheless excitement generated as One and Four met in battle for the first time that day. Each individual, carrying several victories, had recently prevailed over someone carrying the old names and battle-tested blood that had had so many expectations laid out on top of them. But for one of these to to break through to the semi-finals and prove to the world that it wasn't just the famous that had the skill to compete and dominate in the martial arts, they first had to go through each other - and for the handsome benito Bridgerton and the fiery Becky Cox, these twin ambitions promised a heated and closely fought combat.

This fight consists of Benito Bridgerton of District One (Griffin) vs Becky Cox of District Four (Kaplan)

[napoleon, d2m ₊⊹ 🐁 ɢʀɪғғɪɴ.]

↳ BENITO BRIDGERTON

He defeated Beatrice Le Roux.

Doesn't recall how, but the feeling lingers like the afterglow of a firework all the way in his chest as he exits the ring to call his mother. There's static first, a beep second, and then an expectant 'hello?'

Benito sighs.

"I'm going to round two, mama," he says, unable to fight off the smile that tinges his lips. She chuckles through the phone. "Knew I could count on you. Lumpia will be there when you come home, okay? We'll feast."

"Love you, ma."

"Love you."

The line drops. Benito sighs again. So it's official, huh? He's going forward. He's fighting more. He has a chance at winning it.

Damn these high stakes.

There's a steady flurry of activities and preparations for half an hour or so as the competition moves to its next stage, weapons being polished, places being taken. The time dawns on him fast though, and he's back in the ring before he knows it, facing another opponent.

Benito draws a fortifying breath. Rapier out, stance ready, en garde. He nods at the other, that's the gentleman in him, but he doesn't waver to slash this time around.

[ Benito attacks Becky | Rapier ]

Ke40|ayNZ7sword

1183 -- 9.0 damage (Sword)

HP: 25/25

sword

[kap]

Becky Cox

The first match went relatively smoothly. Even the chatting back and forth between my opponent and I wasn't really bickering. It was closer to bonding (although I don't know if I'd quite consider it that).

This fight was against another District One boy. I'd decided that my rapier I'd used before was reliable enough that I'd use it again, and it seemed this boy had the same idea when it came to weaponry. His first attack cut into me harder than I expected. It actually hurt pretty bad. I felt myself bubbling up with some adrenaline.

"Damn, nice hit," I muttered. Then, I made my own strike.

[Becky attacks Benito; rapier]
6dt5KSMro2sword
[1012 - dg, 9.0]

HP: 16/25

sword

[napoleon, d2m ₊⊹ 🐁 ɢʀɪғғɪɴ.]

↳ BENITO BRIDGERTON

“Oh, thanks!” he grins, “you too—” wait, she hasn’t struck yet.

And then she does. It is, indeed, a nice hit as Benito yelps and instantly covers it with his palm to stopper the blood that he knows will flow regardless.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

No matter how street-wise and gritty he acts, Benito remains a child who was raised with a gardener’s care, more rose than boy, and fuck, this hurts. He blinks away stars and tears from his eyes as he wrests control back from his pain-dazed mind, muttering a low “nice hit.”

Get it together.

He forces himself to imagine: this is a mere fencing match. Another show his mother wants to see the trophy for. The girl in front of him isn’t going to hurt him, and her rapier isn’t stained with his blood. No pain involved. Imagine that. He winces as he returns in stance, rapier out. And, delusional as always, he makes his second attack.

[ Benito attacks Becky | Rapier ]

5hu8YxAciVsword

1172 -- Block -- 0.0 damage (Sword)

HP: 16/25

sword

[kap]

Becky Cox

I dig into his skin in response, and he compliments me on my own strike. I give him a flashy smile.

"Thank you, dear!" I chime. His next attack comes swinging in and I block it with my own weapon. I'm ready to keep going, excited to see how it all unfolds. I've always enjoyed sparring matches. They entertain me, both to watch and to participate in. I hoped I could make this one just as entertaining for the audience as it was for myself. Sparring someone from a different District was a new experience, and one that I was enjoying so far.

I ready myself, and I strike again.

[Becky attacks Benito; rapier]
friOQVNKaTsword
[1109 - sc, 3.5]

HP: 16/25

sword

[napoleon, d2m ₊⊹ 🐁 ɢʀɪғғɪɴ.]

↳ BENITO BRIDGERTON

She parries his rapier back.

Fuck.

He knows what his mother will say if he loses: ayos lang! It’s okay. It’s enough that you made an effort.

But it isn’t enough for Benito. Even though his mother has never made it seem as though his siblings have to prove themselves, Benny wants to make her proud, Benny wants the trophy so she can catch her own face in it.

Teeth gritted, his feet pivot this time when her rapier thrusts forth and the length only grazes him. Perfect. He uses the momentum to make his own strike.

[ Benito attacks Becky | Rapier ]

2zTfXYSgLjsword

1170 -- Shallow Cut on Back -- 4.0 damage (Sword)

HP: 12.5/25

sword

[kap]

Becky Cox

Not bad, I think to myself. It seems that the two of us are pretty evenly matched. I like a fight where I have a bit of a challenge, but also don't feel completely overwhelmed. This is a pretty solid matchup for me, in that case.

"Not a bad matchup, the two of us," I say aloud. He probably doesn't realistically care what I have to say, but fighting in silence can get boring. I learned that in my last match. It was much more exciting when we talked to one another. It puts some more interest into the match for me, personally.

[Becky attacks Benito; rapier]
ETOlmuFe2Dsword
[1082 - dg, 9.0]

HP: 12/25

sword

[napoleon, d2m ₊⊹ 🐁 ɢʀɪғғɪɴ.]

He makes an awkward curve of his lips at that, less smile, more courtesy. His head tip in a nod. He can see it: two careers who look normal yet hold a hidden power, a secret wrath.

Except Benito doesn’t. He has always been more art than war, more a camera than a blade.

And still, he tries.

UPRnCzPPK6swordsword

[kap]

Becky Cox

He doesn’t say anything to me, so I figure speaking isn’t going to get me anywhere. He doesn’t seem the talkative sort when it comes to the middle of a match, it seems. His rapier cuts me, but not enough to make me tap out. I don’t feel like I’m going to be able to stick with it much longer, though. My own weapon is tight in my grasp despite the sweat that greases my palms. I aim it at him again. I want this win. I want to show that him and everyone else what I’m capable of.

[Becky attacks Benito; rapier]
Ryx_|au3Ycsword
[1090 - sc, 4.5]

HP: 8/25

sword