Chapter 10 - The Sharp-Tongued Specialist, Part 1
Azel was in a slump. His plans for the next show had been figured out over the past week, but planning out the choreography for it had hit a snag early on. He sat on the stage in the Mirage Bar with a frown on his face as an illusion of another power-using dreamkeeper sloppily swung a sword in front of him. Every so often, Azel would shake his head, making the illusion assume a different stance and start swinging the sword differently. Mead and Percy sat at a table in the bar, watching as Azel worked through getting the motions right.
"Ugh. That's not going to work… Damn it, I just can't get this right…"
"Hey, Azel? I think maybe you should try switching to something else." Mead suggested.
"Maybe I should, but," Azel sighed. "This is supposed to be the main character for the next show. If I can't get her swordplay right, it'll drag the whole act down with it…"
"So why don't you just do it like you did for the first show? You had a good swordsman in that one."
"I thought about that, but I'm looking for a different style entirely. This one has to channel her power through her sword, so I have to do better than having her just swinging and hitting nightmares like in the first show." He sighed again. "And that one took me weeks to get right."
"You know, Azel," Percy spoke up. "I think what you need is a specialist to help you with this. I know a guy who knows a thing or two about old-fashioned weapons."
"Really? I didn't know there was anyone like that in the Marks."
Percy chuckled. "There's a lot you don't know about Scinter's Mark, but I'm not talking about them. This guy's part of an underground group that does shows of their own."
"So why didn't you recommend this guy to Azel earlier? Sounds like they'd get along great!"
"Yeah, and it could've been a huge help knowing other underground performers. Why are you only bringing this up now?"
"Thing is," Percy said, "he's not exactly the easiest guy to get along with. And besides that, the group he's part of is kind of exclusive. Even more than we are, I mean. They probably wouldn't have given you the time of day back when you were getting started."
"So after only two shows, one of which had a nasty wardrobe malfunction, I'm good enough for them now?" Azel asked dryly.
"The wardrobe malfunction wasn't that bad, Azel! I think you still looked good, anyway!"
"Mead, that really doesn't mean much coming from you, especially since…" Percy said, only to be interrupted by Mead grabbing his mouth and holding it shut.
"No, no, shut up, don't make it weird! Not right in front of him!"
Azel's tail started rattling slightly. "I-I think we're getting a little off track here. And I thought bringing the robe back to get repaired today was awkward…"
Mead gave Percy an upset look, then let go of his mouth to let him speak again.
"Right. Back on topic. It's not about how many shows you've done so much as that you're even putting yourself out there to begin with. These guys won't deal with anyone they know nothing about. And besides, it's not like your shows have gone completely unnoticed."
"Okay, I guess it couldn't hurt to meet up with this specialist of yours. It's all for the show, after all."
"Right then. I'll head out now and make some calls, put in a good word for you. If I can persuade him that you're worth the time, he can be here as early as tomorrow."
"Thanks. The sooner I can meet this guy, the better."
Percy got up and left the bar, leaving Azel and Mead alone.
"So," Azel started, "I guess I should…"
"J-just go ahead and keep working on the show!"
To Mead's relief, for the rest of the day Azel did just that.
—
The next day, Azel and Mead were lounging in the pub. Business during the day was slow at best, so the little work to be done was being handled by the day staff. Percy had at least confirmed that his specialist would be showing up today, so the time was spent waiting for him to do so. Petru had been informed of their plans, and gave the three of them extra leeway on the schedule to account for it. With nothing better to do besides wait, Mead started up a conversation.
"So, Azel. Remember my venom fermentae idea from last week?"
"Honestly, I haven't been thinking about it. It's really not my thing."
"Are you sure? You don't even have to drink it if you don't want to."
"Look, well, can I be honest? I know you said it's safe, but if someone ends up drinking it and ends up sick or worse, I'm going to feel responsible for that."
"'Cause it's your venom… Yeah, I kind of get that. It really would be safe though! I'd test it myself before letting a drop be sold just to be sure!"
"What? No, I… If you drank that and something happened to you, I'd never be able to forgive myself."
"R-really? I didn't know you cared so much…"
"I, well, you're one of my best friends. Of course I care."
"Azel, that's so sweet of you!" Mead grabbed him in a tight hug. His tail started rattling as he felt Mead press her body into his.
"So, yer Azel, huh? Ya look like a limp fuckin' noodle. This better not be a waste of my time." A new voice said, interrupting the moment.
Azel and Mead pulled away from their hug and turned to look for the source of the voice. There, at the pub's entrance, stood a lean looking, gray furred rat who looked only slightly younger than the two of them. He wore a loose-fitting set of plain looking clothes, and carried a wrapped bundle on his back. He had two long horns above his eyes which rose straight up to meet Azel's height, and had a mark in the middle of his forehead that could almost be confused for a third eye, the same shade of red as his actual ones.
"Where th' fuck's Percy, then? He said he'd be here too." The mystery guest spoke up in a sharp voice.
"Ah, he's downstairs in the cellar. You must be the one he called last night." Azel responded quickly.
"Right, tha cellar. Well, what're ya waitin' for? Let's get down there already!"
"…It'll be right this way, then." Mead said, looking unusually annoyed. She started heading into the cellar, with Azel and the specialist following behind.
The trip down to the Mirage was fairly quiet. Azel noticed the specialist sizing him up wordlessly, and pulled up closer to Mead to have a whispered conversation.
"Ugh, I don't like the way this guy's looking at me…"
"He's an asshole." Mead replied bluntly. "I mean seriously, 'limp noodle,' who does he think he is calling you that?"
"Yeah, but if he knows weapons, I guess I'll have to live with it…"
"It's all for the show, right? I know, I know. Spirits, I hope Percy knows what he's doing, making you put up with this guy."
After a few more moments of walking, the group arrived at the already opened door to the Mirage. Inside, the tables and chairs had been put away along the walls. Percy was sitting at the bar, and he rose to greet the group as soon as he saw them coming in.
"Ah, Fen, you're already here. I just got done setting the place up for the lesson."
"Hey, ya pink bastard! Y'know how hard it was for me ta get here? Heh, it's good to see ya again. Been way too long."
"Good to see you too. Wish I could get out more, but you know how it is with the Marks, not to mention the law."
"Yeah, I gotcha. Still think Percy's a shit name, though. Coulda called yerself somethin' so much cooler than that!"
"Well, that's not important right now." Percy turned to his coworkers. "Azel, Mead, this is Fen. Weapons and martial arts specialist."
"Yeah, I'd say I'm pleased to meetcha, but yer not exactly livin' up to what I had in mind. Percy, when ya said this guy's a performer, I expected a little more, y'know, presence. But look at 'im! He's even thinner than you, and looks like he could shrivel up and die from bein' looked at too hard."
"Ah, but you've never seen him on stage though. Then, he's a whole different story."
"Guess I'll just take yer word on that. So anyway, Azel, I got a good look at ya while you and yer girlfriend there were talkin' shit about me on tha way over."
"G-Girlfriend?" Azel's tail started rattling while Mead simply blushed. "I mean, I like her and all, but…"
"Y-you do? I mean, yeah! Azel and I are just good friends, really!"
"Right. Not important, anyway. What is important is that noodle boy here has probably never swung a real blade in his life, and I can tell just by lookin'. Do ya even know anythin' about how ta use a sword?"
"Uh, not really. Just what I've seen on scroll broadcasts and from reading."
"Scroll broadcasts and reading! Spirits fuckin' help me. Doncha' know? Best way ta learn's by doin'. Come on." Fen started moving toward the center of the bar. "It's time ta teach ya how ta not completely suck with a weapon."
When he reached the middle of the room, Fen dropped the bundle he had been carrying. As it clattered to the floor, he activated his power, a silvery-gray halo manifesting over his head. Just a moment later, the bundle began unfurling seemingly on its own, revealing a small collection of swords. From among the piled weapons, a shortsword started hovering out towards Azel.
"Well? Go on, take it!" Fen ordered.
"O-okay," Azel said, grabbing the blade from out of the air. "A real sword though?"
"Of course it's a real sword! How else do ya expect ta learn?"
"Well, aren't you worried about me hurting you?"
Fen burst into laughter at Azel's question. "Fuckin'... You, hurt me? Well I see ya can tell a joke at least. Honestly, ya should be more worried about yerself. But if yer serious…"
The group stared on as Fen took off the baggy shirt he'd been wearing. His chest underneath was lean and muscular, marred with various scars.
"I think I can take another scar or two. If ya even manage ta touch me." Another shortsword floated comfortably into his hands as he spoke, and he took up a defensive stance. "Now, start swingin'! We'll see if ya can even handle that!"
Holding his sword out, Azel took a few cautious steps toward Fen. An attempted jab was quickly deflected by a flick of Fen's wrist moving his own sword to intercept.
A firm slash from Fen only a moment later knocked Azel's sword out of his hands. The blade hung in the air, suspended by Fen's power.
"Idiot! I saw that jab comin' from miles away! And hold yer sword tighter, or I'll keep knockin' it outta yer hand!"
"Uh, right. Sorry." Azel grabbed his sword out of the air again.
"Don't be sorry, be better! Again!"
What followed could only be described as a comedy of errors. Sloppy, attempted swings by Azel would be met with Fen effortlessly adjusting his blade to meet each attack. On occasion, Fen would strike back, coming mere hairs short of hitting Azel despite his best attempts to guard.
Mead and Percy watched on from the bar. Mead winced at Azel's every failure, and cheered whenever he seemed to be doing better. Percy just kept looking on wordlessly.
With each failure, Fen would chastise Azel with a biting remark. Any praise he gave would be faint at best. Azel for his part opted out of replying with anything other than simple head movements.
"Ya call that a slash?"
"Okay, so ya can move around better than a corpse, I'll give ya that."
"I don't even need a sword to block ya! Or my arms, either!"
"Well at least yer not holding the sword like a damn moron anymore…"
This exchange of attempted blows and scathing comments continued on for the next few hours. Breaks were far and few between, with Fen at one point commenting that there's "no breaks in a real fight." As the evening turned to night, the two were eventually too exhausted to continue.
"Well," Fen said in between breaths, "I guess that wasn't the worst way to spend a day."
"Spirits… I feel like I could die right now…" Azel said, slumping to the floor.
"Azel!" Mead cried out, rushing up to him. "Are you ok?"
"Hey, no dyin'! Then I really woulda wasted my time here!" Fen shouted. Mead could only glower at him in response.
"Easy, there, Fen. He didn't do too bad for his first time." Percy said. "Honestly, Azel, it's impressive you were able to keep up with Fen for this long."
"…It's all for the show, right? I have to keep up at least…"
"All fer tha show, huh…" Fen paused for a moment, then turned to Azel. "Tell ya what. I'll keep trainin' ya. But tomorrow, we're doin' it on my terms. I've got a show of my own comin' up tomorrow, and I want ya ta be part of it."
"Tomorrow? That's not a lot of time to prepare…"
"Relax, noodle boy, it's not that kinda show. No lines, no recital, just a little fightin'. I got an arena in Talocan, Percy knows tha place. Show up there by noon if yer really serious about learnin'."
Azel paused to consider the offer. "Yeah, I think I could do that."
"Great! Well, I'm outta here." Fen pulled his shirt back on and started heading for the door.
"Uh, aren't you gonna get your swords? You know, clean up after yourself?" Mead asked.
"Are ya kiddin? Not exactly easy ta get between districts carryin' weapons. CCA's fuckin' everywhere. Made it enough of a pain in the ass just to get 'em into Ruskol! Besides, Percy'll keep an eye on 'em, right Percy?"
"Ah, yeah. Right." Percy responded with little energy.
"See? Nothin' ta worry about!" Fen turned to Azel one last time before heading out of the bar. "Tomorrow at noon, remember it!"
A few minutes passed in silence after Fen left. After it was clear he wouldn't be there to hear, conversation resumed. Mead was the first to speak up.
"UUUUGGGHHH! I can't stand that guy! What a total asshole!"
"I did say he's not the easiest to get along with…"
"That's kind of an understatement. Spirits, that hurt…" Azel said, massaging his aching joints with his hands.
"It's a huge understatement! You heard how he talked about you! And the way he threw his weight around with Percy, seems like he's a shitty friend on top of that!"
"Well, for all the pain, at least I got something out of it."
Azel activated his power and manifested the illusion he had been working on. Unlike yesterday, her movements felt slightly more fluid this time around. Elements of both his and Fen's styles of swordsmanship could be seen in the motions. "It's a start at least. I'm sure there'll be more to learn tomorrow."
"Can't you just take that and run with it though? Do we really have to go see him tomorrow, too?"
"You know, Mead, you don't have to come tomorrow. It's just Azel he wants to…"
"If Azel's going, so am I." Mead responded, cutting Percy off. "I am NOT leaving him alone with that asshole!"
"Fair enough. You know, Fen didn't mention any directions. Pretty sure he expects me to come too to show you around. On that note, Azel, I don't think you know just what you've got yourself into."
"It's just one fight, right? Compared to hours of sparring, I think I can handle that."
"You only think you can because you don't know Fen. Today, he was holding back. His weapon shows are more like blood sports; they involve him fighting people from the crowd one on one until one of them, usually the challenger, can't keep going."
Azel paled. "So that means…"
"He's planning to fight you for real tomorrow, no mercy."
Azel's tail began to rattle. "Spirits… It's not too late to turn him down, right?"
