B. it would be nice to fight without anything on the line.

Go with B.

Yeah, B.

You've been too stubborn about honor to resort to c now, and a means you're acknowledging he's better than you- that you expect him to get more information out of this on you than you could get out on him.

>>552128
see if you can kick his ass flat.
if you're able, suggest that he postpones the duel so you can think things through. if you decide you love him you can always propose to him. make it clear that you will not lose your duels, and if you win when he's challenging you he will never marry you - so his only hope is to call it off and convince you to want him.

Suggestion 2013/12/17(Tue)01:34 No. 552395 ID: ebe087
File 138727288847.png - (8.41KB , 800x600 , 22a.png )

I sit uncomfortably on the hardwood Messhall pew, watching the flatgore worm squall and writhe on my spit.

My stomach turns over and undulates with its wounded flapping. I can't bring it to my lips.
This is a problem.
Usually I love these little fuckers.
Like them. A lot.

There's a curious whiff of foreboding tying my gut in knots. It has been nearly a week since Growen and I clashed blades.
Am I afraid he'll be too good?
Am I excited to show him my new moves?
Am I looking forward to fighting him again?
Am I just looking forward to seeing him again?

I know how to fight. It's easy. I fight all the time.
What makes him different?

Suggestion 2013/12/17(Tue)01:35 No. 552396 ID: ebe087
File 138727290562.png - (11.12KB , 800x600 , 22.png )

"You have gotten better!"
Growen pulls back as I tuck my spear blade inside of his and whirl his jab harmlessly past my head.
I step into the attack and gut-check him with the backend of the pole.

His attacks are very strong, and he's incredibly fast. The touches are at his 8 to my 6. But he's relying on muscle too much, and the muscle is giving away the speartip's motion. I'm getting better at reading it, even if the kinetic crash of blocking his swipes are starting to make me lose feeling in my forearms.

He staggers backward, and turns it into a crazy rebalancing jig, two-stepping like when we were carefree trainees.
I catch myself about to laugh and smother it in the crib.
Growen straightens a little and bounces on his knees to get back into form. "Aeschu knows her business."

"Aeschu could be a meat tenderizer, if her business ever dried up," I say. "She's whipped my ass hard enough she might have left her signature."
"I could check for you."
"Careful." I spin my speartip back toward his face.

He shrugs and gives me his Growen smirk, dropping into dueling position.

[a] If I just keep this up, I'll learn more about his technique, even if it does wear me down.
[b] But some part of me wants to stop with the yelling and the crashing and talk to him. What about, I'm not sure.

ask if he wants to just have fun with thus. and just start half fighting half talking.
you want to know what he would even do with you afterwards.

>>552399
Yeah. That's mostly B.

Remember, you need to find out if you want to marry this guy ever. Tomorrow, if you win, you will NEVER be married. If you lose, you WILL get married.

You must be sure what you want when you fight. If you aren't and win you may still lose in the end.

b, I think.

Suggestion 2013/12/24(Tue)11:52 No. 553481 ID: df41f8
File 138791475991.png - (7.30KB , 800x600 , 23a.png )

I try to slow the pace of the fighting a little. I ease up so I can get a word in edgewise.
He doesn't really get the message. I let a swipe through that nearly gives me an unwanted nose piercing.
"Wow. Ease up, Growen."
"My bad." Growen finally gets the message and gives over from his whirlwind of spearpoints. It looks a little ridiculous, but it's undeniably effective.
"You could have taken my nose off."
"Can you blame me? Such a large target of opportunity."
"Do you remember Bridigast? From Jump Training?"
"That was an impressive honker."
"What ever happened to him? I don't see him around."
"He died, Stryza."
"Really?"
"Bolt to the neck on a Prelagari freighter."
"Good. He had it coming. With the neckerchief."
"Oh, god. The neckerchief."

Suggestion 2013/12/24(Tue)11:53 No. 553482 ID: df41f8
File 138791483727.png - (12.02KB , 800x600 , 23.png )

"Mine's smaller than that, right?" We lock spears and I pivot my head to the side. "Maybe a little?"
"Are you going to be this distracting tomorrow?"
"You're going to tell me you've been looking at my nose the entire time?"
Growen fakes low and strikes high. "Nine-Six."
"Fuck you."
"What, after the practice round?"
I will not laugh.
"Damn your black eyes, Growen."
"Many have."
"I have a question. Put the spear down for a second."

He steps out of combat distance. "Is it about tomorrow?"
"It is."
"Could we not? I was having a good time not thinking about it."
"It decides the course of the rest of both our lives, you fucking idiot. Of course you have to think about it."
"You got me there." He sighs. "I don't know. What's the question?"
"Are you duelling me because you want to marry me or because you want to humiliate me?"
"What?"
"You heard me." I take a step away. The confrontation is back in my stance.
"I don't want to humiliate you--"
"You just want to be better than me."
"That's--" He screws up his face. He's wrestling with himself. "That's how it's done."
"Does that mean I have to be okay with it?"
"I don't-- I just want to impress you."

[a] Shut up. You don't have to impress me.
[b] Shut up. You've already impressed me.
[c] Shut up. You'll never impress me.
[d] Shut up. You love me, idiot.

d.

he admitted he wants to marry you, and beating you is the only way to do it. he probably looked for loopholes. but with none he became a practice crazy mofo

D.
And idiot I am, I love you too.

>>553482
D.

As it is now, he won't humiliate you. It'll be a close fight. You've succeeded. He's a worthy foe and so are you.

D
Then smooch him, we must reach maximum cheesy romance levels.

>>553482
D.

Then, tomorrow, kick his ass and rape him in celebration.

Suggestion 2013/12/29(Sun)01:36 No. 554101 ID: df41f8
File 138830980387.png - (7.52KB , 800x600 , 24.png )

"Shut the fuck up, Growen." I raise my spear. "You love me, idiot."
"What?"
Growen takes a step forward and I sweep his legs out from under him, sending him painfully to the floor.
I rest the tip of my spear on his face. "Admit it."

"What the fuck do you mean, love?"

"You love me or you're an insane moron. I think it's the former." I push the spear up to his nose. He cranes his face away.

"Corsairs don't love! That's not what we do!"
"Then you're a pretty lousy corsair, Growen." I plant a foot on his stomach. "Admit it."
"Damn it, Stryza! Let me up!"
"That's why you want to marry me. Holy shit. It's because you love me, isn't it? You've been skipping raids because you love me. And I-"
My voice catches. What was I about to say?

"You're the insane moron." Growen flinches as my speartip nears his eye. "A corsair loves conquest. Corsairs Conquer In All. So-" He swallows.
"So?" I dig my heel into his gut.
"So even if I did, it wouldn't change anything! A fight is a fight. Even if I did love you, I have to kick your ass." He tries to kick out from under my foot. I lean on my leg. "If this is you trying to get me to keep your fucking ego intact by throwing the towel in over a bleeding heart land-dweller fable, it's not going to work. Get off."

[a] Tell him you're going to throw the fight.
[b] Give him a debilitating wound. Make sure the fight goes how you want it.
[c] Let him up and leave.
[d] Start hurting him until he admits it.

C. But help him up.

Tell him he can keep his secrets if he wants but it would help you decide how to treat the duel tomorrow if you knew.

if it wasn't true he would not have been as distracted as he was.
C

D. Since when have you backed down about anything?

C- but say "We'll see who's the true Corsair when the duel arrives!"

C. Refusing to admit it changes nothing.

Suggestion 2013/12/29(Sun)23:54 No. 554288 ID: df41f8
File 138839009802.png - (6.83KB , 800x600 , 25.png )

I back off, leaving him gasping on the floor.
"Fine. We'll see who the true Corsair is tomorrow."
He gets shakily to his feet and strides to the far wall. "You're goddamn right we will." He raps his knuckles on the membranous wall and the door starts to suck and pull itself into existence.
"Growen."
"What?"
"Refusing to admit it changes nothing."
"It doesn't," he says. "Because I'm going to win no matter what."

Suggestion 2013/12/29(Sun)23:55 No. 554289 ID: df41f8
File 138839010352.png - (6.36KB , 800x600 , 26.png )

He leaves, and in a moment or two the door closes with a suctiony gulping sound.

My hands are trembling. I put one on my hip and one on my spear and force them to hold still.
What am I going to do?

we fight him tomorrow. he can't be halfway about this. if he refuses to admit it to even you, maybe he doesn't deserve you. call him a coward for it when you are fighting. he isn't scared of you, oh no, he is scared of everyone else, of what they think of him. so he lies to himself to make think he isn't a lover.

>>554289
You're gonna fight, and you're gonna lose, because Growen is more skilled than you at this juncture.

If it looks like you will win, throw the fight. You know you have SOME feelings for him, and by now you should at least respect his drive. Marrying him should be something you WANT to happen.

...you're going to fight. You don't know what the outcome will be, but you're going to do your best. You can't allow any different from yourself.

Do you have a place you can go to to find some peace tonight? Someplace quiet, or special to you, where you can calm yourself or meditate on what's coming?

Suggestion 2014/01/05(Sun)02:01 No. 555265 ID: df41f8
File 138891608663.png - (52.18KB , 800x600 , 27.png )

I return to my cabin, strip my armor off, and hang it back on the wall. I sit cross-legged on the bed, staring at it. I see my reflection, pale and naked, distorted in the dark, swirling metal.
I look so vulnerable. So soft and... un-spiky. Besides the nose. Am I ready to show this to someone else?
I imagine Growen looking at me right now. A prickling heat runs up my limbs and into my spine. My back arches a little.
Ugh. I'm blushing.
I breathe deeply, and banish the thought from my mind. In its place comes a thick, encompassing lethargy. I'm bone-tired.

Thank God for Aeschu's brutalizing training.

I feared that I might not get any sleep, but as soon as I close my eyes my brain snaps off.

Suggestion 2014/01/05(Sun)02:01 No. 555266 ID: df41f8
File 138891609129.png - (13.53KB , 800x600 , 28.png )

"Corsairs."

The High Matchmaker wears heavy, slick leathers and a black iron helmet. I don't think anyone knows if they are a man or a woman. Their voice is a low, sonorous peal. It echoes across the arena. Everyone I know is here. Ryxis. Pescin. Yruli.

Aeschu leans on a wall near the back, unmoving.

"This is the deciding duel between the Warrior Growen and the Warrior Stryza," the Matchmaker says. "Should Growen win, they are to be joined in marriage. Should Stryza win, Growen shall never in his life have her, and she will scar him as she chooses.

Should either of them die, the point is moot."

Suggestion 2014/01/05(Sun)02:05 No. 555268 ID: df41f8
File 138891631266.png - (6.83KB , 800x600 , 29.png )

"Growen. To win your bride, you must draw bloodflow thrice, bring her to the floor six times, or force her to submit.

"Stryza. To rebuff your suitor, you must do the same, or kill him.

"You will be armed with nothing but your spear and yourself. You will not leave the arena until the duel is decided. These are the only rules.

"Do you understand, Growen?"
"Aye."

"Do you understand, Stryza?"

[a] Aye.
[b] Wait. I have a question.
[c] Growen wins. I submit.

Seems pretty straightforward
A
Let's beat that pussy up.

Just to head off any unnecessary drama, what happens if we're stupid enough to draw blood from each other the third time at the same time or something?

B. Ask for clarification on the whole "never in his live shall have her" part. The question is if you win can you still have him if he can not have you.

Also as a Corsair you take what you want right? So if you win you can scar him by making him your husband.

Whatever you do do not submit right off. If you want to go that route do it after you have shown your skill in the ring. If he wants you so bad make him work for it.

>>555268
B. What happens if it's a draw?

>>555268
"If I draw HIS blood thrice and knock him to the floor six times, can I have him?"

A

>>555325
This could be better phrased as "Shouldn't I get to choose if we marry or not, if I win?"

Does it really matter if we marry him or not?

I mean we can still beat the living shit out of him, drag him to bed, fuck him and live our life with him. Because i seriously don't think they follow the good christian way of marriage where you do it not to be A) shunned for being a bit of an slut and B)Get a bonus for child care and such.

I mean sure, a preggers woman can't probably fight that well but what do we expect if pussy ass Mcduel over there is gonna do when he realises that flinging a staff around isn't really gonna help against in not-duels.

So really, what is the problem here. Here a marriage is just a title of who's got the bigger ego to show off on.

Suggestion 2014/01/07(Tue)01:05 No. 555683 ID: df41f8
File 138908551219.png - (11.86KB , 800x600 , 30.png )

"I have some questions."

The crowd murmurs. Growen narrows his eyes.

"What?" I hiss at him. "I do."

"Ask, Stryza." The Matchmaker seems entirely unperturbed.

"What if we both draw third blood at once?"
"Then the next is determinant."
"So there's no way for, say, a draw? Or for me to marry him even if I win?"
"No."
"You're sure that-"
"Your opponent awaits, Corsair. Will you fight?"

Growen hasn't moved. His knees are locked in a half-kneel. He drums his fingers on his spear.
I recognize this as the ready position for a gut thrust. He likes to hold like this when he's waiting for his opponent. He has a way of switching it into a low sweep at the last second that always catches me.

[a] Say "Aye". Start circling him to get him off his footwork, then flurry to attack.
[b] Say "Aye". Stay on the defensive and wait for him to crack. He's on-edge.
[c] Keep questioning the Matchmaker.
[d] Surprise attack Growen before you say "Aye."
[e] ___________

A, aye, attack!

>>555683
A.

A. Also might want to taunt him a bit. If you can make him reveal his true feelings even in front of everyone it would help.

B. Drawing this out gives you more time, and forcing him to come to you means you're not falling for his trap.

Suggestion 2014/01/08(Wed)00:32 No. 555802 ID: df41f8
File 138916994505.png - (13.61KB , 800x600 , 31.png )

"Aye," I say.

I drop into the same low, predatory gait Growen has, circling him slowly around the skirt of the arena.
His lips thin as he swivels his head to follow my motion--
There.

A foot shifted thoughtlessly out of place and I see my opening.
I charge, swinging for his nondominant arm.

In a split second our spears meet, sing, and find marks.
I see a fleck of scarlet as I draw first blood, slicing a shallow cut into his bicep.

Then he knocks me flat on my ass.

His spear whistles downward, looking to bleed me.

[a] Roll out of the way, disorienting yourself but neatly avoiding the strike and increasing the distance between you.
[b] Kip up and be aggressive. Meet force with force.
[c] Aeschu trained you for this. If you can see the strike coming, you can turn the strike aside, even on the ground.
[d] Take the hit.

C

C

1/3 blood versus 1/6 falls.

C.

I think that the optimal end result here is us losing but only barely or to a tiebreaker, and a slightly less optimal result is coming extremely close to victory then forfeiting.

Focusing on defense is fine for that end result, so C is a good choice.

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)01:07 No. 556099 ID: df41f8
File 138925847979.png - (9.74KB , 800x600 , 32.png )

I swing my spear around and use the momentum from the spear-on-spear strike to spin my legs round into a graceful return to my feet.

As it turns Growen's strike aside, the butt-end of my spear is supposed to sweep his legs out from under him.

That is not what happens. The place it hits instead knocks him to the ground all the same, gasping and curling up.

There is an uncomfortable groan of sympathy from the male members of the audience. A couple of them cross their legs, involuntarily.

Growen has been brought to the floor handily, and it looks like he's focused more on the pain than his spearplay.

[a] Then he won't notice if you stick him. Get more blood.
[b] He's down, but Growen has a history of quick recovery and attack. Maybe he's not as hurt as he seems. Back away, ready.
[c] Awww, you hit him in the dick. That's not kosher. Tell him it was a mistake and give him a moment to recover.

b and c. back up to be safe but apologize. and comment this can all end if he just ells the truth.

1 blood 1 fall to 1 fall

b. I'm more inclined to believe he's trying to draw you in than that you got lucky. And if you did, no need to push that luck.

Don't bother apologizing, for now. The only apology he needs at the moment is that you didn't take the chance to run him through.

>>556099
Dammit Growen stop losing!

B, but with the mindset of C.

B and C.

Back away slowly and apologize for the accidental crotch shot.

Mention if he admits how he really feels then you would do the same.

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)14:53 No. 556211 ID: df41f8
File 138930803254.png - (11.36KB , 800x600 , 33.png )

"I didn't mean to do that." I stand all the way up and back away.
"Uhhhhgmgg." Growen rolls over.
"But they invented cups for a reason," I say, "and I don't think you're as hurt as you look."

"Aw, fuck you, Corsair." Growen pushes from the floor, plants his spear, and flows like black ink into an acrobatic polevaulting kick.

It's fancy and everything, but my spear's already coming up to meet him.
"Yes! Stryza!" I can hear Aeschu screeching in the crowd. "That's the way!"

[a] Try to get his leg with the hook-edge and bleed him.
[b] Try to hook his leg and send him crashing back to the floor.
[c] Try to sidestep his kick then attack when he's out of position.

>>556211
The fucking comes later, Growen!

B.

A or B. Go for which ever one has the best chance of success.

Taunt him a bit. Ask if he is ready to admit his true feelings or if he is to afraid to.

I want to say a D of smack dat spear out from under him. Leave him REALLY helpless before you.
But as that sadly is not an option?
C-he's already in motion, he won't be able to stop himself I think.

>>556211
"You wish."
A

A

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)16:05 No. 556223 ID: df41f8
File 138931234997.png - (11.66KB , 800x600 , 34.png )

"Not before you've earned it!"
I catch the leg between the hook-blade and the pommel and twist.
The edge rakes a long gash along his leg, and I'm rewarded with the sight of blood

a split second before his foot hits my face. Ow.

Growen hits the floor as I stagger backward, a hand to my lip. It comes away red.
We've both drawn blood.
My head is spinning. If Growen's chipped a tooth his ass is grass.

"My plan all along." Growen gets shakily to his feet. "Hah. Oof."

[a] You've got the advantage in footwork now. Move quick and keep him on his toes.
[b] But you've also cut his arm. His upper body's weakened. Go all-out and overpower him.
[c] You're stunned and dizzy. Stay back and on your proven defense while your head clears.
[d] _______

c
"tell the truth or i will end this, and your dream dies."

Hey, no psychological warfare.
Score is
Growen: 1/3 bled, 1/6 down.
Stryza: 2/3 bled, 2/6 down.

Warn him that you're one bleed away from winning. Consider using the blunt side of your spear from here on and staying away from anywhere that could draw blood from blunt force. Alternatively, consider forfeiting the fight right here and now to be safe. That would be option D.

Hey, does anything in your laws say "to the victor go the spoils" or something?

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)17:54 No. 556238 ID: df41f8
File 138931887873.png - (61.97KB , 800x600 , 35.png )

"You're one bleed away." I step away, grounding myself and trying to clear out the stars around my head. "Tell the truth, and admit you love me, or I'm ending this."

"No!"
Growen is on his feet again in an instant. He attacks like a man possessed.
I've never seen him move this fast. Even with all of Aeschu's training, I can barely keep up with him.
"I did not--" says Growen. "Work for years--" His spear slams past my guard and carves a gash into my cheek. "To lose you now!"

[a] Focus. Block and riposte. Aeschu has taught you how to deal with this.
[b] Sweep his legs out. He's distraught. He'll never notice you.
[c] Give in and take another hit.
[d] Try to disengage and get some distance on him.
[e] Tell him you love him.
[f] __________

a

"a liar doesn't deserve me"

>>556238
Ha! That's more like it! 2/3 bleeds for him now! I'm interested in A or B, but just be careful you don't bleed him.

Point out that it doesn't matter what drives him in his conquest. Can you not seek to possess that which you love?

A. You trained hard for this and he is wildly lashing out now. Focus and get him on the defensive.

You could have had me already if you would just admit why you wanted me. But I am not going to lose to a coward who does not even have the strength to tell me how he feels.

A. & E. 'But I love you.'

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)22:29 No. 556320 ID: df41f8
File 138933535956.png - (5.22KB , 800x600 , 36.png )

I lock eye contact with Aeschu for a moment.

She's up in the balcony, her arms crossed.

I think of her face under the helmet, the long strips of flesh peeled away and the pale bone underneath.

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)22:29 No. 556321 ID: df41f8
File 138933537261.png - (10.76KB , 800x600 , 37.png )

I catch one of Growen's lashing stabs and twist, hard.
The spears clash, grind, and tighten together. I pull on mine, hard, and his comes with it, propelled by his momentum.
The spear-arm comes a split second later, and I grab it and bend it back, hard enough that the bone nearly comes out the socket. My foot sweeps out and slam's Growen's off the ground.

He hits the floor. His spear hits about ten feet away from us.

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)22:29 No. 556322 ID: df41f8
File 138933537803.png - (8.11KB , 800x600 , 38.png )

"Say it now."

It's like we're in the practice room, again, but there's no escaping it now for either of us.

My spear is inches from his eye. "Tell me you love me. Or I'll fucking kill you."

"Okay! Yes! I love you! Okay?" Growen spits the word out of his mouth like a hot coal. "Of course I love you. I've idolized you since creche. All I've ever done was to impress you enough that you'd take me! And then when it was clear you wouldn't, I spent half a decade getting good enough to take you! I love love love love love you, Stryza! Fuck!"


The arena is entirely silent. Two-score corsairs watch and say not a word. You could hear a bubble-polyp burst.


[a] Kill him.
[b] Take his eye.
[c] Draw blood again and win.
[d] Cut your own thumb.

A or C

D! D! D! Reverse your spear, let him take grab the end and D!

d
"i won the fight, being honest won me"

"I am a Corsair. And I will not be bested by you, nor by tradition."

[D]

"Did you try just ASKING?"

"Idiot."

D.

Ask him if it was so hard to admit. Tell him although it took awhile he did manage to impress you.

C or D. I think he would make you a nice husband if you want him. If you throw the fight he gets you but it was your decision in the end and no one will look down on you for it.

Up to you though. At this point if you take the fall your pride is intact. So ask yourself one last time what you want. Its your heart and your life on the line.

>>556331
Agreed. But add in 'dumbass'.

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)23:16 No. 556340 ID: df41f8
File 138933818844.png - (7.94KB , 800x600 , 39.png )

"Idiot."
I plant my spear on the ground.
"You have never beaten me, and you'll never beat me. Ever. Not in speed, or in looks, or at raiding, or at drinking, and never, ever, ever in combat. Why do you think I'd let you beat me in something so simple as making me bleed, worm?"

I flick my forefinger up and slice it open on the hookblade.

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)23:16 No. 556341 ID: df41f8
File 138933820185.png - (9.31KB , 800x600 , 40.png )

"Oops," I say. Growen's eyes widen. "Clumsy fuckin' me."

Suggestion 2014/01/09(Thu)23:17 No. 556342 ID: df41f8
File 138933823578.png - (6.55KB , 800x600 , 41.png )

"Enough."
The Matchmaker's smooth, deep voice overpowers the suddenly raucous crowd. I can't tell if they're pissed off or loving it or what.
"The duel is over. Stryza has bled three times. Growen has won his claim. He and Stryza are married."

The arena's quiet all over again.

"And now, if I may be so bold as to depart from protocol, Stryza," says the Matchmaker. Their emotions remain entirely unreadable. "Have you anything to say for yourself?"

"i love this big galoot too, and we will get the biggest horde anyone has ever seen."

I did not let myself be defeated, and I took what I wanted. What else is there for a corsair to say?

i suppose you could say "i wanted him too, but he challenged me first, so the only way to have him was to lose, but it would be on my terms."

>>556342
"More than one way to get what you want."

Suggestion 2014/01/10(Fri)01:05 No. 556355 ID: df41f8
File 138934471263.png - (8.51KB , 800x600 , 42.png )

"Corsairs take what they want," I say. "And I want him. We are going to have a massive hoard and a brace of incredibly strong and savage kids."

Suggestion 2014/01/10(Fri)01:05 No. 556357 ID: df41f8
File 138934473524.png - (11.18KB , 800x600 , 44.png )

"--So fuck tradition, fuck matchmaking, and fuck whoever says otherwise. I didn't lose and I got what I wanted. What else is there for a corsair to say?"

"That is... an unimpeachable sentiment," says the Matchmaker, sounding for the first time vaguely impressed. "Has anyone complaint enough to face Stryza? Speak now or forever hold your cowardly tongue."

Everyone watches expectantly. No one dares to say anything.

"Then I believe this ceremonial duel is finished." The Matchmaker pushes themself from the banister and straightens.
The ship suddenly groans and rocks to the left.
"And unless I am very much mistaken," says the Matchmaker, "the Tyrant Star hunts again."

Suggestion 2014/01/10(Fri)01:05 No. 556358 ID: df41f8
File 138934475573.png - (7.96KB , 800x600 , 45.png )

A ragged cheer goes up from the crowd as Corsairs take to their feet and stampede from the arena, ready for conflict and conquest.

The Tyrant Star is tearing its wicked way across the razor skies of Daranarache again, chasing another doomed schooner or hamstrung frigate.

As people leave, I'm given several handshakes, one hug, and a death stare from a fat corsair named Rivia, which I return twice as hard and send her scurrying away to the gunwales.

"You impressed me there, Growen." I pull Growen to his feet. "If it's any consolation."
"It is."
"And I love you too, dumbass."
"You do?"
"I do."
"Really?"
"Yes, really, Growen, what do you want? I'm a Corsair, not a poet."
"You're one screaming black hell of a corsair, Stryza."
"You know it. Stick with me, boy." I kiss him again. "We'll conquer the world and look beautiful doing it."
"Well, maybe I will. You can knock them over with your nose."
"Shut the fuck up, darling."

I look toward the door. It widens and warps before the outpouring of black-clad hellions.

[a] Drag your husband along and join the raid.
[b] Both of you are war-wounded and tired. Skipping one more raid won't kill you. It's time to get some rest and enjoy your prize.

A. What better start for your wedding night?

B. You've both done enough fighting today to earn some sexytime with the hubby

>>556358
a. fight as a pair!

A. It has been entirely too long since either of you went raiding.

wait didn't you dislocate his shoulder?

B. You're both already hurt and need time to recover. Taking time to regain your balance worked for you in the fight just now, right?

a. it's time he started getting that hoard going again.

Suggestion 2014/01/10(Fri)12:14 No. 556422 ID: df41f8
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I pick up Growen's spear and throw it to him.
"Come on, Lover Boy. Time to prove you still remember how to raid."
"I've forgotten more than you'll ever know."
"Good. Well then remember it, watch my ass when we're fighting, and we'll get a shitton of loot as Corsairs should, and we'll kill like twenty people, and then when it's over I am taking the longest shower of my life, and then we're going back to my cabin." I lean in and whisper in his ear. "And then you can do anything you want to me."
"Anything?"
"Anything."

Suggestion 2014/01/10(Fri)12:14 No. 556423 ID: df41f8
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"You fought like a warrior, Stryza," says Aeschu, finally coming down from the balcony.
I turn from the groom and give her a short bow. "You taught me how."
"Maybe I did." A hint of pride crawls its way into Aeschu's voice. "You didn't have it in you the whole time, is for sure."
"If you badmouth my wife too much, I'll have to kill you, Aeschu," says Growen. "I think that's a rule."
"We're Corsairs," says Aeschu. "Stryza just demonstrated we have no rules." She stalks from the room. "I'll see you two in the breach. Good hunting."

"How's your speararm feel?" I ask Growen.
"Hungry," says Growen. "I've had it with trying to stab things that can defend themselves well."
"Then let's get out there and you can show me if you raid as good as you kiss."

Suggestion 2014/01/10(Fri)12:14 No. 556424 ID: df41f8
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With the crack and groan of metallic tendons, the Tyrant Star's jaws close around its prey.
The panicking defenders marshal a resistance on their vessel's bloodslick deck. They try to pry the thickening bridges of ichor and steel from their gunwales.

But it's too late.

From within the Tyrant Star's guts, a piercing, joyous cry of battle thrills through the night.

The Tyrant Star End Suggestion 2014/01/10(Fri)12:15 No. 556425 ID: df41f8
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And in the center of the first wave, carving and screeching our way through the disintegrating defenses, moving like shadows and killing like poetry, my husband and I begin our honeymoon.

Can you afford a nosejob yet?