Author Note: I hope this version of the encounter between Wednesday, Bruce and Luz is better than the first.
I decided to replace the park with a restaurant and add some action. Fencing was often featured in the New Addams Family series.
With this chapter ends episode one and we enter the cannon of Series Wednesday!
In the next chapter we will be in Nevermore Academy and with a little luck I will be able to write the encounter between Enid and her new friends.
I won't rest until I've written a moment with Enid blushing in front of Wednesday.
XXX
Story Arc: Welcome to a Nevermore
Episode 1: The effect of the Velvet Butterfly (V)
Chapter 5: Duel at the Ratatouille restaurant
Plot : Wednesday launched the first shot, but Bruce having thick skin does not react.
The young detective keeps talking, angering Wednesday who keeps slapping him and making death threats.
But when Wednesday insults Bruce's intelligence, it ignites the detective's anger, starting a bizarre sword fight between the two.
XXX
POV Narrator
A slap in the face, Wednesday's first blow was a hard slap across Bruce's face.
Pretty anti-climactic. Surely most people would have expected a punch or a stab wound.
Let's see how he reacts to that. If just a slap is enough to scare him, it means my sixth sense was wrong.' Think Wednesday, preferring to start small so he wouldn't waste too much energy.
Bruce stood still like a statue, keeping a monotonous expression.
As if nothing important or out of the ordinary had happened.
The rest of the Clawthorne-Noceda family also seem unfazed by Wednesday's actions.
' This must be a new record. Bruce barely said a word and gets slapped.' Luz thinks, pulling out of her jacket, noting the events that just happened.
'As usual, any troubled girl who approaches Bruce first punches him, then befriends him.' Eda thinks, crossing her arms, waiting for things to escalate and then calm down.
' I hope Wednesday doesn't get hurt, Bruce has pretty tough skin. Maybe I should go get an ice pack or a first aid kit?' Think Camila, more worried about Wednesday than Bruce.
Actually, Bruce is quite used to getting slapped by women.
This also applies to his extended Bruce family.
Eda and Luz, especially Luz, have lost count of how many times Bruce a due faces a woman's justified or unwarranted fury.
Unfortunately, a certain entity that recently appeared in Bruce's psyche is not used to this fact.
[The Addams girl dares to challenge you ! You have to break her arms and legs, then strangle her to death using her own braids!] Korrigan said, sounding angry, surely she's never witnessed Bruce's day-to-day luck with women.
'Korrigan, aren't you exaggerating?
I only received a slap in the face, I'm used to much worse treatment from a problematic woman.' Bruce replies, not feeling any feelings of anger or frustration.
" May I know why you slapped me? I haven't done anything yet to deserve corporal punishment or is it a strange Addams custom to greet people with slaps?" Bruce questions, tilting his head slightly, wanting to know what he did to deserve a slap.
"My family has a long list of unique traditions and customs. But we don't greet people with slaps." Gomez said, sure his family doesn't have such a meaningless tradition.
"Wednesday can I know why you slapped Bruce?" Morticia asks, hoping that Wednesday doesn't want to sabotage this friendly meeting between their families.
"He called me pretty." declares Wednesday, as if this sentence were the answer to every problem in the world.
"But are you a pretty girl?" Bruce asks, pretty sure he hasn't offended Wednesday or said something mean. Perhaps you have chosen an inappropriate term?
He has met some girls in the past who prefer to be thought of as beautiful instead of pretty.
"I'm not pretty!" Wednesday declares, in an intimidating tone, moving closer to Bruce. Delivering them a second slap in the face.
Once again Bruce didn't react to the violence of the dark girl. The inky-haired sorcerer is probably immensely tolerant or thick-skinned or masochistic.
"Goth girls aren't my weakness. Actually my sister Vee is the one who sheds her skin when she sees a beauty in black." Bruce recounts information that has nothing to do with this "discussion".
This "distraction" stopped Wednesday for a moment. Great because he was about to give a third slap.
"I'm not crazy about goth girls. But I must admit that at first glance you are an aesthetically pleasing girl." Bruce said, trying to be specific with his statements.
The occult detective capable of solving a 10-year-old murder case fails to see that compliments themselves are the problem.
' I've decided this guy will be my first kill. Once I get to Nevermore Academy, I'll find a place to dispose of his body.' Wednesday thinks, finding Bruce unbearable that he doesn't understand to shut her mouth and run away from her.
The brooding girl with an angry look that could make a hitman cry.
Miraculously Alice didn't throw a punch or a stab, instead she gave Bruce, slap number three and fourth, with more force than before.
Wednesday squeezes his sore hand, which is now quite red, it looks like Bruce literally has thick skin.
"I take back my earlier words." Bruce said, dropping his calm, indifferent expression.
A faint smile appeared on Bruce's lips, as if he'd found something funny or beautiful.
" You are a beautiful young woman, a flower with unique traits that are hardly found in a single specimen.
Small size, flawless white skin, a slim and fit build, long hair with a beautiful shade of black, in a unique hairstyle.
An asymmetrical face with good bone structure, your black eyeshadow, highlights your angry eyes.
As an artist, I am compelled to paint this image on a canvas." Bruce said, getting quite explicit with his compliments.
Apparently Wednesday's anger and violence caught the attention of Bruce's artistic instincts.
"Feminine beauties that attract my attention are rare. So far, there are just over ten women that I have voluntarily painted." Bruce said, finding Wednesday interesting enough to paint her, a privilege afforded to few women.
' Change of plans, I kill it here and now. I'll go to trial for murder and run away to Nevermore.' Thinks Wednesday, feeling an unmatched rage.
This time the dark girl stopped holding back.
A deadly right hit Bruce under the jaw.
After that Wednesday pushed Bruce against the table, grabbing his arm from behind, squeezing painfully.
The gloomy girl didn't stop at just a punch or a push, she pulled out her dagger, aiming it at Bruce's neck.
" Bruce Bahamut Belmont, listen to me very well, I'm not pretty, I'm not beautiful, I'm not small and I will never be your muse. Do you understand?" Wednesday asks, in a cold tone, bringing the dagger awfully close to the thyroid vein.
In theory, all it takes is a sharp movement of the blade and there will be a mess of blood.
"Addams, put that dagger down, we didn't come to Boston to see how you attack someone!" Shout out Morticia, they believe her hope of finding friends for Wednesday just died.
"Mrs. Addams, you may not be meddling in this conversation. It may not seem like it, but I'm enjoying it." Bruce declares, with a small smile on his lips, looking rather calm.
As if it weren't a problem that Wednesday of all people, keeps a stab sharp close to his neck.
"The same goes for you three. Don't interfere, this little conflict is the most interesting thing that's happened to me since we left Gravity Falls." Bruce said, turning to her family, promising trouble if Luz or her mothers spoil his game.
"Do you by any chance have a death wish?" Wednesday asks, seeing that her "victim" isn't reacting in any way, but at the same time shows no signs of fear or panic.
Wednesday has never seen such quiet behavior in anyone who is threatened by her and her favorite dagger.
"If you're baffled by my calm demeanor. The answer is simple, I'm not really in danger for three reasons." Bruce said, he could see that Wednesday was curious.
"Let's hear what are these reasons that allow you to stay calm in such a situation?" Wednesday asks, wanting to know what makes Bruce react like this.
"First reason, I'm the greatest detective in the world. From the very moment you're here intact my "Sherlock Scan" has been focused on you. I've discovered a few things about you." Bruce said, admitting that he made his own observations and deductions about the dark girl.
"Wednesday Addams from your hands I can tell you are an expert in the use of bladed weapons and a talented cellist.
By observing the movements of your body, the shape of your physique and how you hold the dagger, you are a skilled acrobat and a practitioner of swordsmanship." Bruce said, entering into one of his brief episodes of investigative deduction, at least this time he omits the details of the his reasoning.
"You're good at guessing or you requested details from your mother who must have heard stories about me from my mother." Wednesday said, believing that Bruce is pretending to be a skilled detective.
Until now, Wednesday has never met a peer who can claim any real intelligence.
Probably the expression big fish in a small pond can be used to describe Wednesday.
"I don't guess. I only deduce." Bruce said, with a tone full of confidence and energy that wasn't there before.
" I am one of the five smartest people in the world. By observing a person carefully I can understand the workings of their mind and their past history.
That allows me to say you won't cut my throat." Bruce declares, acting as if he's the one with the gun, while Wednesday is the unarmed victim.
"Wednesday Addams, you have the mindset, the killer instincts, the skills and the weapons to be a low to mid-level assassin.
But I didn't kill a real human being, you're perfectly capable of doing that, and yet your hands are still clean.
You, you won't kill anyone without a real reason." Bruce said, grinning ear to ear, delighting in Wednesday's gaze.
"You made me angry. Surely that is strong enough motivation to slit your throat." Wednesday said, keeping his hand steady and his expression detached. But the anger in his eyes has diminished a lot.
"Your anger is misdirected. Your assault on my person is the result of a repressed anger that has exploded upon me, because I am the most suitable target according to your subconscious mind." Bruce said, knowing firsthand the consequences of holding feelings inside for too long.
Sooner or later the feelings come out and wreak havoc on those nearby.
" Shall we hear the second reason for your safety ?" Wednesday said, wanting to know the other reasons, before deciding whether to lessen Bruce's punishment.
"I possess survival skills that reach unbelievable levels." Bruce said, with a mischievous grin.
"I seriously doubt that a lonely girl would have the skills, resources and knowledge to devise a plan to kill me and prevent my resurrection." Bruce said, enjoying seeing the confusion hiding in Wednesday's eyes.
The image of the world-bored genius projected earlier collided with the image of a delusional with delusions of grandeur.
"Resurrection, how to return from the dead?" asks Wednesday, not finding this idea ridiculous.
Years ago, Wednesday herself brought her cousin Vlad back to life, as a zombie.
Then when Cousin Vlad wanted to kill Gomez and marry Morticia, Wednesday had to bring him back underground.
"It may not seem like it, but I've died several times. And look at me, I'm alive and well before your eyes." Bruce said, half serious, half joking. By treating his possible deaths as a trivial event.
"I'm beginning to believe that you are an imbecile, too bold for your own good who poses as a great intellectual." declares Wednesday, losing interest in the inky-haired detective. Seeing him as a big-mouthed disillusioned.
"It's going to end bad, very bad for Wednesday." Luz mumbles softly, knowing what is going to happen in this restaurant.
Also, Eda and Camila are on the same wavelength as Luz. Both mothers of nine children started backing away slowly. None of the three women want to be close to the epicenter of the disaster.
The dark girl doesn't know that she has made a terrible mistake. Never insult Bruce's intelligence if he cares about his own skin.
The only thing that can make Bruce more angry is calling him a half-breed. In that case death is assured, except for the family who receive rather… icy treatment.
[Grunge Addams Girl!] Korrigan yells, reaching a new level of cholera.
'For once I agree with you, Korrigan.' Bruce said, forgetting the icy calm and the fun of before.
"Third and last reason for my overconfidence. I can reverse the situation at any moment I wish." Bruce declares, slamming his free hand against the tabletop.
This seemingly innocuous gesture activates a magic prepared especially for dealing with unpleasant guests.
The surface of the table begins to glow, showing a magic circle engraved on the table.
Soon after the magic circle appeared, a shock wave hit everyone in the restaurant except Bruce.
Morticia and Gomez were pushed off the right side of the restaurant, both landing in a single chair.
First Morticia, then Gomez who finds himself on the thighs of his beloved wife.
" This reminds me of our vacation in the Black Forest." Morticia murmurs, feeling only good nostalgia instead of her usual panic.
Morticia being a practitioner of the dark deeds had her fair share of fights between magic users.
A little curiosity, Morticia has become friends with Eda, after having faced her in a particularly wild potions challenge.
So in the eyes of the Addams Matriarch this falling out between Wednesday and Bruce is a method of forging a lasting friendship.
Also, Luz, Eda and Camila flew through the restaurant, ending up landing on some chairs.
"I'm personally not surprised that Bruce and Wednesday are arguing with each other.
Both are alpha dogs who have had part of a bad week. I would have been more surprised if they became friends in the first few minutes." Eda comments, in a tone without surprise, having imagined two big scenarios if Wednesday and Bruce are left alone at Nevermore Academy.
First case, they could destroy each other, taking the school down with them.
Second case, join forces, forming a deadly team capable of wreaking havoc on the school and the rest of Jericho.
"Should I intervene?" Luz asks, not liking to see people how they hurt themselves for nothing.
Good witch Luz has pulled one of her magic cards out of her jacket, ready to cast a spell to separate Bruce and Wednesday.
Part of me wants to say yes. But I think letting them fight can be beneficial in the long run." Camila said, managing to see that the two teenagers need to vent their pent-up anger.
XXX
Meanwhile the more peaceful members of the two families are talking to each other.
Wednesday was the least fortunate of all, eventually crashing into a wall.
At least she wasn't thrown hard enough to break a bone or seriously injure herself, but she's sure to have bruises from this impact.
Bruce on the other hand took off his old black leather coat, did the same for his tie.
"You are the most annoying boy I've ever met." Wednesday said, standing up, holding the dagger, wanting revenge.
"Surely I'm also the single guy who's ever fought back against you. You look like a girl too used to winning." Bruce said as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing a tattoo on his right forearm.
On the outside of the forearm are the Roman symbols of Omega and Omicron, positioned in a straight line, one below the other.
On the inside of the forearm is a tattoo: a black glyph in the shape of a cross with curved arms and a head, below are three parallel lines resembling scars.
' I wonder what the lines present in the tattoo mean? The third line seems to be an addition' Thinks Wednesday, distracted for a second by the sight of Bruce's tattoo.
" If you ask yourself, the three parallel lines represent an achievement that I am particularly proud of.
We can say I like to keep track of a rare category of enemies I've defeated." Bruce said as he adjusted his gloves, keeping his eyes fixed on the dark girl.
"Only three victims, a rather low number." Wednesday comments, wanting to break Bruce's concentration.
" I only count the worthy ones." Bruce replies, hinting that he's not like Erik Killmonger or Victor Zsasz counting all his murders of him.
At the exact moment Bruce responded. Wednesday threw his favorite dagger right at Bruce's head.
The inky-haired wizard hasn't moved, merely cocking his head to avoid Wednesday's thrown dagger.
"A predictable move. You should have aimed for the chest, more likely to hit a vital organ." Bruce said, criticizing Wednesday's sloppy move.
On a minor note the dagger is left on the table surface.
"When I'm angry, I prefer to aim for instant death." Wednesday said, explaining why she aimed at Bruce's head, wanting a lightning victory.
"You know, I said earlier, if you would take out your knife, I would do the same with my weapons." Bruce declares, spreading his hands as if he wants to give someone a hug.
A small purple colored space warp has appeared around Bruce's hands, sticking his hands through the space warp and takes out a pair of sword.
The sword in his left hand is a French Saber alias Briquet, a white weapon of the saber type supplied to the soldiers and non-commissioned officers of Napoleon's Imperial Guard and by Grenadiers and Volteggiatori di Line and Carabinieri and Light Volteggiatori.
The sword in the left hand is an Italian Stocco, an evolution of the medieval one-handed sword, about 1 m long, the sword is longer, with a triangular or quadrangular section blade, thick near the guard and very pointed, robust, rigid and without cutting, specially made to deliver thrusts and thrusts, called precisely "stocks" by armored knights.
Instead of Bruce immediately gaining the upper hand on Wednesday, using two weapons against an unarmed girl, he did the opposite and passes the Sicilian rapier to Wednesday.
The gloomy girl grabs the offered weapon on the fly, holding it masterfully.
"Do you want to settle the matter with swords instead of using magic?" Wednesday asks, baffled by this move.
If Wednesday were in Bruce's shoes he wouldn't have handed his opponent a weapon and would have used magic to win.
"If I used magic to solve all my problems, I would have died of boredom a long time ago. I prefer to adjust my level according to the enemy." Bruce replies, putting one foot forward, one hand behind his back, raising his saber at Wednesday.
"You have a minute to get used to the new weapon. Then the battle begins and rest assured I won't hesitate." Bruce said, taking a moment to test his weapon.
The dark girl turned her attention to the offered sword and gave a few trial strokes before establishing her grip.
The metal of the rapier is white as pure snow, the brilliance of the blade easily reflects the light. If Wednesday were more vain she would have used the blade instead of a mirror.
Wednesday can feel a shiver dance between her fingers as she holds the sword, feeling no discomfort or can.
In reality, Wednesday can feel a pleasant winter breeze, coming from the rapier.
Tiny snowflake patterns are engraved on the blade, and a thin layer of frost covered the protective bottom of the blade.
"This sword must have been forged by a master smith." Wednesday said softly, almost grinning at the opportunity to hold such a weapon.
" Thank you so much for the compliments. But to be honest, the rapier you're holding is a rather mundane job compared to my serious creations." Bruce said, smiling proudly, feeling good to see someone admire one of his creations, even if it's a minor item.
" Did you create this weapon ?" Wednesday asks, not believing that someone her age could make such a beautiful deadly weapon out of her weapons.
" Being the world's greatest detective is just one of many titles I hold.
I am a born genius, with a mind like Da Vinci, gifted with unparalleled intelligence and talent in everything." Bruce said, in a calm tone, as if such a statement were one of the fundamental truths of the world.
" It would almost be a shame to mortally wound a craftsman capable of forging such a sword.
But I never back down from a duel, if you hang on long enough I might spare you." Wednesday declares, getting into fighting stance, less intent on killing Bruce.
" A duel before lunch, fantastic. My little scorpion shows what the Addamses are capable of!" Gomez said, rooting for his beloved daughter.
Wednesday shot an indignant look at his father, finding his father's support in this quarrel inappropriate.
"Pup, I don't want to intrude on your friend-making process, but you know how I feel about swords. Please don't go overboard." Camila said, with a tone concerned for the safety of the two teenagers.
Bruce let out a long sigh, lowering his head, looking as if someone had broken the window of the house while he was working on something delicate.
"Camila you don't have to worry about me. I can survive decapitation and dismemberment." Bruce said, not turning to Camila, keeping his gaze fixed on Wednesday.
"Parents, great for everyday life, bad witnesses for your struggles." Bruce comments, knowing full well that Wednesday feels the same way.
"If there is a next time, we should choose a battlefield without parents." Wednesday said, reluctantly admitting that he agreed with Bruce.
" Our parents' interference ruined my fighting mood.
Therefore, let's treat this conflict less like a quarrel between two hotheads. It's more like a duel between two swordsmen." Bruce offers, having quite lost the will to send the dark girl to the hospital.
"You're not only annoying. You're also fickle, because it doesn't surprise me." Murmurs Wednesday, not knowing how to take this treatise on Bruce's personality.
" What can I say I'm an unpredictable person who gets bored quickly, so I'm always looking for new sources of entertainment." Bruce declares, having no problem admitting this flaw of his that has driven his family and close friends crazy time and time again.
" I propose a military duel, the first one who makes the opponent bleed wins." Wednesday suggests, wanting at least a drop of blood to spill the boy more annoyance than his life.
"I like how you think, but why doesn't it make things more interesting. I do it like this. The winner has to make the target bleed five times." Bruce said, wanting to spice things up.
" Why exactly number five ?" Asks Wednesday, if it comes to numerology the number three is chosen for many more cases.
"You have insulted my intellect, you deserve a punishment. It seems fair to me to inflict five stab wounds for the four slaps and the punch earlier." Bruce said, not having forgotten the blows Wednesday received a short time ago.
The inky-haired sorcerer can be a very patient and forbearing person.
But when Bruce gets angry or offended, he waits for the perfect moment to settle the score whether it's big or small.
"Agreed with you. You have one more condition to impose or we can begin our duel with swords." Wednesday asks, starting to get impatient.
The gloomy girl wishes to use the Sicilian rapier to make Bruce bleed, not to waste the whole afternoon talking.
" One last thing, every duel usually comes with a prize.
Let's say that whoever of us loses must fulfill a request from the winner.
Of course the request must not be anything outrageous, demeaning, sexual or illegal." Bruce offers, making the duel that much sweeter for the victor.
' If I win I could ask Bruce never to fear me again or help me escape the Nevermore. But in case he loses here, what could he ask me?' Thinks Wednesday, not knowing whether to accept or reject this new duel term.
"If you win, will you ask me to be your model for a single painting?" She asks Wednesday, being able to accept such a request. Getting painted isn't something that could kill her.
In case here Wednesday doesn't like how he looks in the painting.
There is no promise to stop Wednesday from destroying the picture and breaking Bruce's hands to stop him from making a rerun.
Bruce doesn't answer, just smiles saccharinely.
" I accept the terms and conditions of the duel." Wednesday said, confident of her victory. The dark girl has never lost to anyone in a fencing duel.
Bruce didn't say anything, but his saccharine smile grew, as if he'd played a joke that only he understands.
' Poor, Wednesday. He doesn't know that he made a grave mistake by accepting Bruce's proposal. As much as I love my son, the blood of a demon of contracts flows in his veins and he possesses the instincts of a god of deception.' thinks Eda, knowing better than anyone to be very careful when promising or making a deal with Bruce, especially when the details are vague.
"The Game is on." Bruce declares, lunging forward, swinging his sword at Wednesday.
CLANG!
Wednesday's Sicilian rapier focused with Bruce's French sabre.
"For a guy that thin, he has a certain degree of strength." Wednesday said, having to grip the sword with both hands to parry Bruce's blow.
"Do not judge a book by its cover." Bruce replies, taking a small step back to execute a more defensive style, useful for studying Wednesday's skills.
Wednesday lunged with his rapier, aiming for Bruce's chest.
The inky-haired wizard dodged Wednesday's sword thrusts with ease, stepping backwards and tilting his body left and right.
" Impeccable technique, quick reflexes, high accuracy and a fierce spirit. Wednesday, you are a fierce little panther." Bruce said, having to use his sword to deflect Wednesday's blows which were getting faster and faster.
"As a swordswoman you are a high-level practitioner. I see, natural talent and a lot of commitment, you certainly never found a worthy challenger." Bruce said, continuing to rave about Wednesday's fighting skills.
Wednesday perform a new lunge, aiming for the left shoulder. Bruce raises his sword so Wednesday's Sicilian rapier is deflected.
Unfortunately for Bruce, Wednesday put more force into his jab, making Bruce's deflection less efficient.
Wednesday's sword just grazed Bruce's shoulder, no blood to be seen, but the fabric of the shirt was cut.
The first point of this duel goes to Wednesday.
"You're right, I've never found someone who could handle me." She answers Wednesday, pleased to have made the first point, feeling close to victory.
"That will change in a few seconds." Bruce said, ceasing to be so passive, having seen enough to understand Wednesday's level.
The inky-haired wizard jumped backwards, worthy of an acrobat, landing on the table.
"Let's see if your reflexes are fast enough." Bruce said, starting to kick the plates on the table.
In less than a second, four plates flew towards the gloomy girl who uses her rapier to defend herself.
In some ways Bruce and Wednesday created a parody of baseball.
Only with the throwing of the ball is carried out with the feet; the ball and sticks replaced by plates and swords.
The shadowy girl had a slight difficulty deflecting the thrown plates, an Italian rapier is not the right tool for this task.
But putting the right amount of force and hitting at the right angle, Wednesday was able to defend against the pots, without getting a single scratch.
Unfortunately for the dark girl, Bruce didn't throw just four china plates.
SWISS!
Suddenly Wednesday's favorite dagger plunged into its owner.
The dagger grazed the dark girl's right shoulder, causing a superficial cut, letting out a few drops of blood.
Oddly, the dress received more damage, losing the right sleeve to the cut.
" If we were in a real duel you would have been disqualified." She watches Wednesday as she touches her wounded shoulder, not believing she's forgotten the dagger.
" We are not from fencing which turns swordsmanship into a competition for children.
We're in the middle of a friendly duel between two swordsmen, where there are no real rules or restrictions." Bruce said, getting philosophical for the moment, swordsmanship for him, is an art that is close to the heart.
" People lie every day, even when they speak they are never completely honest, not even with themselves, much less with others.
But swords are sincere, two people can only truly know each other by exchanging blows with their swords." Bruce said, continuing to play the samurai philosopher.
"Actions are worth a thousand words." Wednesday said, understanding what Bruce meant, subtly approving of this logic.
"If I don't use my surroundings to my advantage, it would be an insult to your skills as a swordsman.
You can't tell me deep down you're not having fun." Bruce said, grinning big, feeling a blissful feeling of joy after nearly two weeks of boredom.
The miracles of adrenaline that pass through the veins.
"I reluctantly admit that you are the most qualified opponent I've dueled with in a long time." Wednesday said, in a bitter tone.
The dark girl doesn't even remember when was the last time she met such a soliciting opponent.
"I am more than qualified. I am a god of sword and war." He declares Bruce, leaping high off the table, somersaulting into the air.
Bruce with this move is passing over the head of the dark girl, he takes advantage of the moment, he made a sword stroke.
Wednesday's left shoulder sustained a repeat of the previous damage, same with the damage to his sleeve.
Wednesday doesn't stand still like a statue watching his opponent's stunts.
Having a good idea of where his opponent should land, Wednesday made his move.
At the precise moment Bruce hit the floor, Wednesday's sword approached Bruce's stomach, in the form of a horizontal attack.
The inky-haired sorcerer being quick jumped back, but too late, his shirt was cut off, strangely, there is no trace of blood.
"Two by two, we're even." Bruce mumbles, taking into account the current score.
The two swords collided again, with greater violence and speed than before.
The competitive spirit of the two antisocial teenagers is inflamed.
" You know, you should wear sleeveless clothes more often, you have nice arms." Bruce comments, he can't seem to shut up, even during a fierce exchange of blows.
"Interesting little trick, but I don't understand the purpose. What's the use of ruining my dress, it wouldn't be more useful to inflict wounds deeper." She asks Wednesday, if she were in Bruce's shoes, would she have concentrated on cutting off the enemy's arms.
It's more fun to tear your ugly dress apart. For a pretty girl you're wearing crap, the design is too childish and from the last century.
Not to mention the colors, I mean that shade of black, decorated with little spots of white.
Whoever bought or designed that abomination of a suit must be locked up somewhere." Bruce said, ruthlessly criticizing Wednesday's current suit.
"You see, mother, I'm not the only one who thinks this way." Wednesday said, turning to her mother, who is responsible for buying this ugly dress.
Perhaps Wednesday is referring to requesting her mother somewhere far away or does she not like this dress all that much either?
"In addition, if you suffer a serious wound, the duel would be over early." Bruce confesses, having purposely chosen to make flesh wounds so as not to compromise Wednesday's swordsmanship skills.
"We've talked too much, let's put an end to this duel." Wednesday said, gripping his sword with both hands, needing more strength to overwhelm Bruce's defense.
"I completely agree with you." Bruce said, a mischievous grin on his face, having devised a move to win.
Wednesday stepped forward, throwing a lunge at his foe, aiming for the chest, where he's most likely to injure a vital organ.
Bruce made a move impossible to predict, throwing his saber into the air, then using both hands, he grabbed the dark girl's sword.
Bruce's gloves were ruined by Wednesday's sword, this means a point for the opponent.
But the point isn't worth much, when your opponent has you trapped.
Wednesday Addams tries to free the sword from Bruce's grip, but can't move it an inch.
CRASH
Before Wednesday could do anything, Bruce landed a powerful foot strike on the gloomy girl's chest, sending her flying and landing against the table which shattered upon impact.
" I think this move can count as two points." Bruce said, walking towards Wednesday as his saber fell into his hands.
"If my calculations are correct, I'm just one point away from winning the duel." Bruce said, pointing his saber at the throat of Wednesday who is lying on the floor on what's left of the table.
"Get it over with quickly." Wednesday murmurs, hoping to receive a mortal wound, so she won't have to get her mother's advice on fencing.
' No signs of fear, cowardice, hatred, stupidity or hesitation. This gothic girl is promising.' Thinks Bruce, having to admit that she is faced with a unique specimen of "Gothic witch."
" As you wish." Bruce replies, moving his hand, so as to imitate Zorro and carve a B on Wednesday's suit.
Shortly thereafter the sound of applause flooded the venue, the source of the noise Gomez and Morticia.
"A brilliant duel, I haven't seen my little scorpion engage in such a long time." Gomez said, giving a rather enthusiastic applause, rather sure he saw Wednesday "happy" and "enjoying" some moments of the duel.
"I think my daughter may have found a sparring partner for when she attends the fencing club at Nevermore Academy." said Morticia, in a very happy tone.
His old friend Eda, not an exaggeration, his son Bruce is a boy with skin and a tough enough personality to survive Wednesday.
"Do me a favor, kill me here and now." Wednesday said, wishing very much not to hear or see her parents being so spirited about her…her defeat.
"I'm sorry, but my personal code forbids me from attacking a downed enemy who can't fight back." Bruce said, disposing of his sword, having finished fighting for the moment.
"You're the most annoying, stubborn, stupid, weird guy I've ever met in my life and I have to see you every day for an entire school year," comments Wednesday, realizing Bruce will be a constant headache for her.
"I've heard worse from meaner, more antisocial, more troublesome girls." Bruce said, not even having a problem with Wednesday's statements, having suffered far worse from certain witches and sorceresses.
" My name is Bruce Bahamut Belmont, nice to meet you, Dame Sombre (Miss Dark)." Bruce said, holding out his hand to help Wednesday to his feet.
Reluctantly and with a bitter look, Wednesday grabs Bruce's hand and gets up without too much trouble.
Being an Addams, the dark girl suffered no serious injuries, just a few scrapes and several bruises.
" Finally, the time for introductions has come." Luz said, finally being able to make her specialty, forging friendships with hard-looking people who hide a soft heart.
"Hi, my name is, Luz Noceda, nice to meet you Wedy." Luz said, in a joyful tone, spreading her arms as if she wanted a welcoming hug.
"If you call me that ridiculous nickname again, I'll cut out your tongue with this Sicilian rapier." Wednesday declares, in a cold, menacing tone, grabbing his sword off the floor and pointing it at Luz.
Clearly the dark girl does not support any mispronunciation of her name.
"Got it, you don't like hugs and nicknames. You're not the first introverted person I've met." Luz said, without a hint of fear, glancing briefly at Bruce, having been her first introverted friend.
' Even the girl is hard to scare.' Think Wednesday, seeing that even Eda's daughter won't be easy to push away.
"If Bruce likes you, it means we'll be great friends." Comments Luz, having decided to make friends with the dark girl, so on the spot.
Before Wednesday could respond with harsh words or a sword thrust, Bruce intervened.
" Wednesday, here's a quick tip on how to deal with Luz and her saccharine power of friendship.
You'd better accept the situation and act friendly.
Because once this girl is determined to become your friend, sooner or later she will." Bruce said, as if speaking of an inevitable process that nothing and no one can stop.
"I have no friends, I don't need friends, especially from a loud girl like her." She declares Wednesday, pointing at Luz, making it clear that she doesn't want to get involved with anyone.
"I don't have friends either. But I have a Luz who is irreplaceable. So less threats against her if you don't want to be defeated and humiliated again by me." Bruce said, sounding slightly menacing as he steps in front of Luz, having no problem starting a new duel.
"You're playing the lone wolf card again." Luz mutters, having seen Bruce's Kuutsundere antics far too many times.
"Luz, you are my best and only friend. The rest of the people in my life fall into the following categories: family, lovers, subordinates, colleagues, acquaintances." Bruce said, implying that he had a single friend, Luz.
"Are you always this noisy?" Wednesday asks, sensing that her life is about to take a pretty chaotic turn, especially with Bruce and Luz nearby.
"It's part of our charm." Luz answers as she adjusts her jacket, trying to make her look like a glamorous girl.
"Your charm comes from your sappy demeanor and lovable nerdy antics." Bruce said, teasing Luz.
" Better than being a Kuutsundere trying to be Sherlock Holmes by day and Batman by night." Luz said, getting to tease Bruce about her energetic demeanor.
"Who is Batman?" asks Wednesday, having never heard that name anywhere.
Bruce's eyes widened, looking at the dark girl as if he'd grown a second head.
"This is a problem I intend to fix. Wednesday Addams, listen up, because I'm about to tell you the story of the Dark Knight of Gotham." Bruce said, I intend to explain to the dark girl the whole story of Bruce Wayne.
XXX
Meanwhile Wednesday, Bruce and Luz are "socializing" with each other.
The four adults are talking to each other.
"Eda, you have raised a first class scion." Gomez exclaims, impressed with how Bruce has reacted to Wednesday.
"Luz isn't bad either. Most of the girls who get stung by our scorpion run away quickly." Morticia said, couldn't help but smile.
Her old friend's daughter seems unaffected by Wednesday's threats. This is quite promising.
" You haven't seen anything yet. My birds are full of talent and surprises." Eda said, loving to brag about her kids to her old friends.
On a minor note, restaurant staff entered the room, bringing everything needed to repair the damage and treat the people present to a nice lunch.
The maids didn't bat an eyelid at the sight of the damage, continuing to do their job flawlessly.
No surprise, Le Ratatouille, is a restaurant that belongs to Bruce and he often uses it to hold meetings with all kinds of people.
So staff members have long learned not to say anything, not to ask questions, and to expect to see all kinds of damage to the venue.
XXX
More or less at the same time, in the state of Vermont, in the city of Jericho, inside the Nevermore Academy.
To be more precise, on the second floor of the school's newest dormitory, there is a girl who is important to the unfolding of this story.
This person is a 15-year-old girl named Enid Sinclair, a lycan unable to turn into a wolf, a lover of pop music and pastel colors.
"I'm dying to meet my roommate.
Principal Weems, she told me that my roommate is due in today and I'm in charge of giving him a tour of the school." Enid murmurs, with a mix of impatience and nervousness.
The lively girl doesn't know that the long-awaited roommate will be a black spot that will leave an unshakable mark in her life and above all in her heart.
Along with the black spot, a small ever-smiling sun and a hellhound with Kuutsundere tendencies will also come.
Enid's life is about to take a rather extravagant and supernatural turn in less than five hours.
XXX
End of episode 1: The effect of the Velvet Butterfly.
Next episode: The First Day of School