The First Challenge

[lynchpin_castle]

This contest between the forces of Making and Unmaking has come to its first challenge. Each side has chosen two champions, and the terms of the challenge are set. It shall take place at a location neutral to both base-castles. The contest is expected to be primarily physical, with the victory conditions as follows.

One side must surrender completely to another.

Or

One side must completely defeat the other.

The first challenge has been issued 2 weeks after the formal choosing of Champions.

Comments

[light_of_willpower]

Her relaxing into (and onto) him made him smile, and his heart sped up slightly. Perfectly comfortable (mostly) for where he was, nodding with her words.

"I'm used to going solo okay? For the first time in years I have someone who I trust fighting with me and you think I won't get worked up when they get hurt?" It's teasing, trying for some humor himself--as he did more than just trust her. "You didn't pay attention to anything I said about saiyans, did you?"

Below them, the Masters of both sides had appeared. Surveying the scene, before the Unmaking Master nodded to their counterpart. Within a heartbeat or two, the bubble surrounding their champions, and all 3 of the beings, faded. Seeming to be sucked in upon themselves as if into a void or black hole.

Trunks started to let himself controlled-drop back to the ground, where the Master of Making was waiting for them.

[neveraknight]

She curled on arm, her good one, around his arm and chest a bit, hand flat and holding on, but also a small hug. "You aren't in this solo anymore. Though the only thing I didn't pay good enough attention to was Corrsk while I was holding those bugs back. I'll have to practice that technique a bit more."

Yes, she did catch some of what he said about the Saiyans, but she didn't mention it much yet. Letting him descend. "And I didn't hear anything to be upset about, if that's your worry." She peeked past him again and smiled at the Master, pushing to sit up more in the piggy back instead of relaxing completely into the others hold.

"Greetings, Master. Did we do okay?"

[lynchpin_castle]

The Master of Making seemed unsurprised to find one of their champions carrying another. An inclination of their figure, cowl lowering as well in a bow. "We believe 'okay' would be an understatement, if we understand the conversational nuances correctly." Back upright, and the being definitely seemed relaxed.

"Congratulations upon your first victory. Knowing something of your foes, and of you both, and how the challenge could have gone in myriad ways, we must congratulate you upon your cleverness as well as strength."

Gesturing out with their sleeves, and Trunks' forgotten sword shimmered in to rest upon them, held out but secure. "You both have more than earned your rest, and we shall all retire now unless you have other business here?"

[neveraknight]

Ahsoka leaned there on the other, grinning down at the Master. "As long as you are happy with the results. Did you know that they would bring out people we might have heard of or recognized races before?"

When the sword came to be there too, and when she was sure that Trunk's feet were on the ground, she gave him a hug one more and said, softly. "You can set me down again. I hurt my shoulder, not my legs." She said it with a grin, and she didn't at ALL mind being carted around by him. It was a new experience for her that she rather liked.

But then she looked to the Master and back to Trunks before saying. "No, I think this was all the business I had. You?" She asked her partner, fully ready to go, thanks.

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks hesitated to let her go, but....she was right. He hadn't minded though, and was more than happy to continue carrying her if she'd wanted. Still, careful as he let her get her feet under him and then he's bowing, moving to take his sword once more with both hands, almost ceremonial. Respectful, to the Master, before it was replaced in its sheath over his shoulder. To Ahsoka's question, he simply shook his head.

And tried to not think about how he missed having her snuggled against his back.

The Master's robes rippled as if with amusement at Ahsoka's statements however. "We did not, although it was a more likely result than not, given our Opponent. They do not see things we do in minutae, but in broader strokes? They may guess and suspect, and thus attempt to gain an advantage."

Trunks raised an eyebrow. "Meaning...they probably had no clue who we were, but it's likely they could've guessed what place you'd chosen your champions from, and they followed suit." Then he was shaking his head in amusement at the confirming nod of the Master's own.

"As you have said before, this is almost like a game of chess, or Go, or Dejarik." Still with that grave tone. "But we do not believe nor intend to use you as amusements--that is not your purpose. Nor are we truly in control of the 'pieces' if you will, due to our own restraints, upon both sides."

But clearly there were opportunities for strategy, and to influence things.

[neveraknight]

She missed how warm he felt, but she figured that was just her body deciding she'd pushed it too hard again and thus was cold. She hooked her lightsaber back on her belt, both hands resting on top of them on either hip. A blaster bolt in the shoulder could have been bad, especially if she hadn't moved like she had. It was a graze, but it still hurt.

Still, Jedi and all, she didn't comment on it. She would tend to it as needed, and train more. Because that is what she is learning from all this. "It has helped, this fight, give me a clearer idea of what we will be facing. What the other master can manage doing." She let out a soft sigh, and though she was steady and fine on both feet, she did leave on hand on Trunk's shoulder, as if taking a bit of his stability for now.

"But this also told me, I have a lot of things I need to work on, just in case we face something else like this again." She gave the Master a smile, calm though. "I might like to try and find some books on training in the Force, if there is that possibility?" She asked, pleased with how this came out but suddenly feeling inadequate. Like fighting with Anakin and Obi-wan in those first days.

[lynchpin_castle]

"We shall make that happen then, as it is a possibility. If you would narrow down what specifically you might wish to know, or the area of training, it would help immensely. Otherwise we trust our Steward and resources to help see to your needs."

A nod to them both, robed-sleeves moving up in an expansive gesture. The white-dome of energy solidified around them once more, obscuring their view, and then after several seconds receded. Once more the 3 were in the Reception hall, as the Master lowered their arms. "We have resources to help you heal faster, in the case of graver injuries. We also suspect that this time, our opponent will indeed fully wait the allotted amount of time known as a 'month' before challenging again. Please rest well in the meantime, as we are thankful and at your service."

Bowing their figure, before vanishing in a shimmer of colors and light.