> Paloma: Train with Cucali.

-- nitroMerc [NM] began trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 11:26 --
-- nitroMerc's [NM'S]  decided that today is sparring day! She's set up a dummy and is demonstrating where all the killing blows are. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  listens carefully, of course! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  steps back. --
NM: N☼w, y☼ur turn!! Just try an' d☼ as g☼☼d as me, ☼kay?
AA: <\ Okay... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  steps forward and tries to follow the example Cucali set. Her strikes obviously aren't as strong - somebody is distinctly not a seadweller! - but she tries her best, and she /did/ at least remember a good deal of what Cucali told her. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  claps. For once it's not a sarcastic slowclap! --
NM: Y☼u missed a few there, m☼☼☼☼☼☼ssybl☼☼d!
AA: <\ Oh, I, I did? />
NM: But ign☼rin' the fact that y☼u w☼uld've had y☼ur side punched a few times, y☼u did perfectly ☼kay!
-- absoluteAltitude, [AA,]  regardless, looks flattered. She smiles to Cucali. --
AA: <\ Thanks... />
NM: Yeah, whatever!!!
NM: N☼☼☼☼w... h☼w well d☼ y☼u think y☼u'd d☼ against a real tr☼ll, m☼ssy??
AA: <\ Well, I, I spar with Tursun a lot, but he usually bests me... />
NM: Tch! He's a l☼ser!! I'm s☼☼☼☼ much better than him.
NM: An' I can teach y☼u s☼☼☼ much m☼re!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles. --
AA: <\ I, I'm glad to learn. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  grins. --
NM: All righty, then!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  gets into a fighting stance. --
NM: C☼me at me!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods and slips into a stance. She steps forward, as if she's going to attack from the front - and then feints to the side, her knee coming up against the back of Cucali's own leg to try and unbalance her. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  sees what she's trying to do and dodges out of the way, her leg kicking out in an attempt to knock Paloma over. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  stumbles back, but doesn't fall -- her stance is pretty good. (Must have been that jerk Tursun's work.) She comes back in, aiming a straight punch at Cucali's shoulder. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  takes the punch and stumbles a little, but uses the time to try to sweep Paloma off her feet. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  wasn't expecting that - she's used to her punches getting blocked. The remorse she feels for HURTING CUCALI gives the girl an opening, and this time she goes down into the sand. --
AA: <\ Ooph! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  leeeeeeans down over Paloma. --
NM: Ha!! What was that?
NM: Y☼u're still s☼☼☼☼ clumsy!
AA: <\ Why, why didn't you block me? It would've been easy... />
NM: T☼ get myself an ☼pening, duh!
NM: An' I g☼t what I wanted!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pushes herself up, brushing the sand from her skirt. --
AA: <\ I, I guess so... />
AA: <\ Shall we go on? />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  smirks. --
NM: Suuure, if y☼u think y☼u can handle it!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  moves back into a fighting stance. --
AA: <\ I can! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  does the same, and comes at Cucali again. This time, she darts around and aims a punch at Cucali's side. But it's not a terribly strong punch this time. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  blocks this time and tries to grab on to her hand to jerk her forward. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pulls back, but what's that going to do? Nothing much. She's still pulled forward, stumbling into Cucali. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  grins and yanks hard to throw her onto the ground. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  oops hello sand how are you today? --
NM: C'm☼☼☼☼☼☼☼n! Can't y☼u d☼ any better than that??
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pushes herself up into a sitting position, shaking her head to get the sand out of her hair. --
AA: <\ I, I guess I just don't want to hurt you... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  scowls. --
NM: Even if I'm g☼nna kill y☼u, m☼☼☼☼☼☼ssybl☼☼d?
NM: Tr☼ll up here!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  picks herself up. --
AA: <\ But... />
NM: I said t☼ hit me with everythin' y☼u g☼t!! H☼w else are y☼u g☼nna survive in a fight, huh?
NM: Half-assed practice means half-assed fightin'!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  bites at her lip and nods. --
AA: <\ Okay. I, I won't hold back. />
NM: G☼☼d!
NM: C☼me ☼n, hiiit me, wussy!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  goes into a stance, and approaches Cucali again, her hands balled into fists. She throws a punch at her, and right after she does, she brings her elbow up and slams it down towards her. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  blocks the punch and elbow, backing up as she does so. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  advances with her, aiming a punch lower, towards her gut. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  block and tries to grab and twist her hand around. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  hisses with pain as her hand is twisted. She brings her foot down on Cucali's own foot, hard - and at the same time, tries to wrench her hand out of the grip. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  yelps as she lets go of Paloma. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  OH GOD OW RIGHT IN HER HEART. But she shakes off her red feelings of regret for hurting Cucali, and presses her attack, aiming an elbow towards her chest to give her aching hand a bit of a break. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  growls as she blocks and tries to knee Paloma in the gut. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pulls back, but not quite in time to avoid a glancing blow. It makes her gasp, and she takes another step back to put some distance between them. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  advances quickly to close the distance and aims a punch at her face. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  ducks quickly! She definitely doesn't want /that/ hitting. She aims a knee at Cucali while her centre of gravity is lower. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  takes the knee to the stomach and doubles over, looking like she's in pain... --
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  CONCERN GAMBIT is off the charts! She steps forward, reaching an open palm towards Cucali. --
AA: <\ Cucali? Are, are you okay? />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  suddenly uppercuts! The DOUBLING OVER was a DISTACTION. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  fell for it like a HUGE SUCKER! She goes sailing upwards, and then into the ground. --
NM: Ha!! I can't believe y☼u fell f☼r that!
AA: <\ Gh... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pushes herself up into a sitting position, spitting out a little blood from where she bit the inside of her cheek. --
AA: <\ I, I thought you were hurt... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  approaches her, looking a little disappointed. She's not worried at the sight of blood, nope totally not. --
NM: N☼☼☼☼pe! Rule ☼ne: y☼u can't sh☼w aaaaany mercy!
AA: <\ But... />
NM: Listen t☼ be, dumbass!! If y☼u sh☼w ☼ne ☼unce ☼f mercy, y☼u're dead!
NM: Deeeeeeead! An' y☼u d☼n't want that!
AA: <\ No, I, I don't... but you're my friend... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  crouches down. --
NM: An' what if that changes, huuuuh?
-- nitroMerc [NM]  reaches out for her neck. --
NM: I c☼uld change my mind riiiight n☼w.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  doesn't stop her. She looks up at her, and the trust in her eyes is almost painful. --
AA: <\ I don't think you will. />
AA: <\ I'd bet my life on that. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  makes herself stare into Paloma's eyes as she applies a little pressure, going on calmly. --
NM: In a battle y☼u g☼tta think f☼r y☼urself, m☼☼☼☼☼☼ssy! ☼therwise y☼u might end up with y☼ur pretty little face br☼ken.
NM: All bets are ☼ff, sweetheart!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  breathes inwards with a little difficulty, keeping her eyes on Cucali. --
AA: <\ Note... note taken. />
NM: G☼☼d! An' keep it in mind.
-- nitroMerc [NM]  lets go. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  takes a deep breath, but perhaps irritatingly, she never really looked /paniced/ there. --
AA: <\ Okay... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  is annoyed by the expression, because she likes using fear to drive home lessons! She taps Paloma on the forehead. --
NM: Y☼u suuuuuuuuuuure?
AA: <\ Yes, I, I'm sure. />
NM: Y☼u better! Because y☼u can't c☼me cryin' back t☼ me when y☼u're deaaaad, m☼ssybl☼☼d.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shakes her head. --
AA: <\ I'll try not to get myself killed... />
NM: Yeah, just tryyyy! I'll pr☼bably wind up havin' t☼ save y☼ur ass again.
-- nitroMerc [NM]  stands up and gets into a fighting stance. --
NM: ☼ne m☼re time, m☼ssy!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods and stands up again, getting into her fighting stance. --
AA: <\ Okay! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  steps forward to throw a punch at Cucali's shoulder, just to start with. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  blocks it and fakes a yawn. --
NM: C'm☼☼☼☼n, hurry it up here!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  huffs and steps in, bringing her other fist in to strike at Cucali's gut as she drives her bootheel down on Cucali's foot. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  jerks her foot away this time and moves backwards, humming the most annoying tune she can think of. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  moves with her, aiming a strike at her shoulder. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  blocks again and aims a kick at Paloma. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  takes the kick with a heavy 'ooph', grabbing at Cucali's leg with both hands. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  is grabbed! --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pulls at her, hoping to bring her off balance and send her tumbling into the sand. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  tumbles! But she also kicks at Paloma's hands to try to get her to loose her grip. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  lets go, stepping back. She grins. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  jumps back to her feet, watching her carefully. Does the mossyblood have something up her sleeve? --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks entirely innocent! --
AA: <\ Would you like to keep going? />
NM: Well, duuuuuh!
NM: What kinda questi☼n is that?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  grins, slipping back into a fighting stance. --
AA: <\ Then let's go! />
NM: Ha! Y☼u want me t☼ g☼ first? Fiiiine!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  dashes forward with surprising speed and aims a one-two punch at Paloma. --
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  eyes widen in surprise, and she coughs as she's punched squarely in the chest. She stumbles backwards, pausing there for a moment before she steps back in to aim a punch at Cucali's side. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  blocks, shoving Paloma back. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is shoved. This time she doesn't step right back in, circling around Cucali... --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  this is different! She keeps her fists up, following Paloma as she circles, watching her warily. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  darts in after a moment, striking at Cucali's chest. But that's not all! Her other fist comes up to strike at her gut! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  blocks the chest hit but hey! Surprise punch to the gut. She doubles over, gasping for air and in surprise. So the limeblood was finally fighting back! --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  doesn't hesitate this time. She slams her elbow down towards Cucali's shoulder, and at the same time, brings her knee up to try and slam it into her chest. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  bends from the elbow hit, but she grabs the knee, aiming to catch Paloma off-balance. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is caught! She knows where this is going to go, so she wraps an arm around Cucali's throat. --
AA: <\ If I'm going down, you're going down with me! />
NM: Ha! Let's see if y☼u can keep that grip!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  tries headbutting Paloma! --
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  eyes widen as she's headbutted. She lets go and tries to pull back, but Cucali's horns still pierce her flesh. Cucali's grip on her knee is the only thing keeping her from falling back onto the sand! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  lets go. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  falls to the ground. She reaches up to hold her shoulder, trying to stem the bloodflow. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  stands up. --
NM: N☼☼☼☼t bad.
AA: <\ Thanks... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  crouches down and pushes at her hand. --
NM: C'm☼☼☼☼n, let me see that!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  lets her hand fall away. The damage isn't as bad as it would have been if Paloma didn't react as quickly as she did, but she still managed to stab her quite nicely with those horns of hers. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  rubs at one of her horns with her hand, sees the blood and swears. --
NM: All right. Inside!
AA: <\ Okay... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  picks herself up, and heads back towards the door to the cavehive. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  barges in before she does, to snatch up the first-aid kit. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles at Cucali's concern. She closes up the door and locks it, and then goes to sit on the couch. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  gets out the bandages and disinfectant. --
NM: Pull that shirt ☼ff. An' d☼n't make any smart c☼mments ab☼ut it!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes at that. --
AA: <\ But - />
NM: What'd I just say??
AA: <\ But, but I - />
-- nitroMerc [NM] gave up trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 13:59 --
-- nitroMerc [NM] changed their mood to OFFLINE  --
-- nitroMerc [NM] changed their mood to CHUMMY  --
-- nitroMerc [NM] changed their mood to PROTECTIVE  --
-- nitroMerc [NM] began trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 07:31 --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  rolls her eye and yanks at her shirt. --
NM: St☼p stammerin'!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes deeper, swatting at Cucali's hands. But she's no match for Cucali, and she's easily able to pull her shirt up over her head. It looks like she was still wearing that bird necklace underneath her clothing. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  notices the necklace and scoffs as she starts disinfecting the injury. --
NM: Y☼u're still wearin' that dirty thing?
AA: <\ It, it's perfectly clean... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  winces a little at the disinfectant, but she stays still and doesn't complain. --
NM: D☼n't y☼u have aaaaany ☼ther jewelery t☼ wear, m☼ssy?
AA: <\ Not... really... />
AA: <\ It, jewelry's really just a seadweller thing most of the time... />
NM: ☼h, riiiight, I f☼rg☼t that y☼u were a sad landdweller f☼r a sec!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  starts wrapping up the wound. --
AA: <\ That, that's okay, though... it's still a nice necklace. />
NM: Tch, ☼nly y☼u w☼uld think s☼!
AA: <\ I think I have good taste! />
NM: Yeeeeah, keep deludin' y☼urself there!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  cheerfully replies: --
AA: <\ Okay! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  ;/ That was not the reaction she wanted!! Weird mossyblood. She makes sure to jerk the bandage hard as she finishes wrapping it up. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  winces, but she doesn't say anything. (Was she making fun of Cucali a little with that cheerful reply..?) --
NM: All right, that sh☼uld be g☼☼d, l☼ng as y☼u d☼n't trip ☼ver y☼ur biiiig, clumsy feet!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks over to the bandage, breathing out. --
AA: <\ Thanks, Cucali... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  throws her shirt at her because she's really distracting when she's half-naked i mean ugly! --
NM: Whatever!! I just d☼n't want y☼u t☼ get sick s☼ early int☼ practice! T☼☼ much tr☼uble.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  catches it, and puts it on with a little wince as she lifts her arms up. (Those horns really did hurt!) --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  fixes her gaze out the window as Paloma does that. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is grateful she's not staring. She's also blushing quite brightly, even when her shirt is safely on. --
NM: Are y☼u d☼ne yet??
AA: <\ Y, yeah... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  looks back and scowls. --
NM: Again with the blushin'!!
NM: What's with y☼u and blushin'?
AA: <\ No, nothing! />
NM: It's s☼☼☼☼methin', ☼bvi☼usly! Are y☼u thaaaat much ☼f a prude? C'm☼n, it isn't the first time y☼u've taken ☼ff a shirt!
AA: <\ N, no, but... I don't, I don't usually take my shirt off around other trolls... />
NM: What, Tursun the newbie d☼esn't c☼unt??
-- nitroMerc [NM]  practically spits his name. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes deeper. --
AA: <\ He, he's my, that really doesn't count! />
NM: ☼☼☼☼h, s☼ y☼u're sayin' that he isn't a tr☼ll?
AA: <\ No, that isn't what I'm saying! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  smirks. --
NM: But y☼u said he d☼esn't c☼unt!!
AA: <\ He, he's my kismesis! That's a special exception! />
NM: ☼h, s☼ kismesises aren't tr☼lls, then!! I g☼t it!
AA: <\ You know that isn't what I'm saying! />
AA: <\ Don't be difficult! />
NM: Ha!! I'm n☼t tryin' right n☼w!
NM: *n☼t even
AA: <\ You are definitely trying right now! />
NM: Y☼u want me t☼ be difficult? I can sh☼w y☼u h☼w difficult I can be!! I can be s☼☼☼☼ much m☼re difficult!
AA: <\ But, I don't want you to be difficult! />
NM: ☼h, what d☼ y☼u want me t☼ be then??
NM: All fluffy and happy and sparkly??
NM: ☼r d☼ y☼u want me t☼ slap y☼ur ass all the time like that l☼☼☼☼ser?
AA: <\ No! />
AA: <\ I just want you to be Cucali! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  makes a face. --
NM: I already am!! But apparently y☼u d☼n't like me because I'm t☼☼ difficult f☼r y☼u!
NM: What's a tr☼ll supp☼sed t☼ make ☼ut ☼f that?
AA: <\ I, I didn't mean it that way... />
NM: ☼f c☼urse y☼u didn't! Y☼u never think ab☼ut what y☼ur damn w☼rds can d☼, m☼r☼n!
AA: <\ I'm sorry... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  rolls her eye. --
NM: S☼rry can ☼nly take y☼u s☼ far, m☼ssybl☼☼d!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  bites at her lip, looking away. --
AA: <\ I didn't mean to ruffle you... />
NM: Whateeeever. I d☼n't care ab☼ut y☼ur stupid hate life anyway! It's just ☼ne huuuuge, gr☼ss mess!
NM: Practice's ☼ver.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  nods. --
AA: <\ Okay. />
NM: G☼ d☼ whatever it is y☼u m☼ssybl☼☼ds d☼!!
AA: <\ Okay... />
AA: <\ ... hey, Cucali, thanks for practicing with me. />
NM: Yeah, yeah. S☼meb☼dy's g☼tta make sure y☼u aren't a liability in battle!
NM: Because I sure as hell w☼uldn't want t☼ die a shitty death because ☼f y☼u.
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles. --
AA: <\ I appreciate it. />
NM: Y☼u sh☼uld be! ☼therwise I'd thr☼w y☼u right ☼ut!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  continues smiling to Cucali, standing up. --
AA: <\ I'm glad you're helping me. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  stuffs her hands in her pockets. --
NM: Tch, d☼n't think that it's f☼r y☼u!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles, speaking gently. --
AA: <\ I'm not under any delusions like that. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  eyes her suspiciously. She's being awfully agreeable... bluh, whatever! Cucali heads to the nutritionblock because taking care of mossybloods makes her hungry ;/ --
NM: G☼☼d!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  knows, after all, that Cucali is doing it for herself. Because she likes Paloma. She heads off to another part of the hive to do whatever it is mossybloods do. --
-- nitroMerc [NM] gave up trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 08:28 --