[1 vs 1] learning the ringcraft (Maple, Poke)

[poke mattix]

The library wasn't a place Pokerus liked to hang out often, but it was a source of information that she could use. Especially with schoolwork. And since she was at a school it was expected of her to do well and learn and all that fantastical fluff.

However, trying to find a book that would provide the information she needed was a little difficult, and she was sitll standing at the shelves, every so often ducking or battling books out of the way as they flew over her head.

Maybe if she found a history book on famous battles, now that might help her...

chirigami

 

[chirigami]

To really no one's surprise the little witch had already found herself in the library, but this time without the growing collection and hoard of books on a nearby table. This time Maple was also staring at the shelves, almost pensively with her brows knit close and a disappointed look on her face. Aunt Rose had suggested she try her hand out at expanding on her abilities, to see where her growth and promotion to a new year in school had possibly taken her. But, the best way the young ghoul knew kind of how to do this was by reading (because it was just so much easier and less hazardous). But, in the same dilemma, all the books she had found in the library were ones she had already read in her parent's study back home or those in her own collection in her room. Or those that just didn't seem like they would be too helpful. (Though, that one did seem like it would be helpful for a class, so she carefully pulled it out).

So, with a heavy sigh, Maple picked a book at random - one that turned out to be a collection of biographies of famous witches in Halloween volume two- to add to the small book already in her arms. The witch turned, mournfully with a lull and ended up spotting Poke a few racks down, facing the opposite direction. Normally, spotting someone else in the same aisle wasn't really abnormal, it was a public library after all, but she kind of actually had encountered the other ghoul before. Though, really, the witch wasn't much for drawing attention to herself. There was really no way she was going to go greet the other ghoul like she had seen other ghouls do (dive bombing with excited chatter and hugs and the sort). She just kind of stood awkwardly for a moment and thought about a swift retreat before she was spotted.

poke mattix

 

[poke mattix]

The witch would not get her chance to escape, for shortly after she had discovered the other ghoul, Poke had turned to find some more books (nothing interesting here save books about political figures in Halloween), and saw Maple right in front of her. She recognized her immediately as the one who had attended the exam, recalling Maple as a first year student. Before the exam that is.

"Ah, we meet again!" She said cheerfully. "How has your second year treated you? Enjoying it so far?" She was curious to see how the ghoul was doing, considering she had seemed quite timid the last time.

chirigami

 

[chirigami]

Really, she shouldn't have thought she could have escaped. Maybe there was some tiny shred of hope but it was buried very deep under the layers of usual doubt. Should have given up the dream really. Maple simply let out a little sound upon being spotted and spoken to, her shoulders tensed up and the grip on her books tightened. "H-hello..." the witch greeted in response, voice small and stuttery like usual.

"It's...." How to respond. Nothing good could come to mind really, things didn't seem to be picking up in her life and she still had no idea how much her abilities had grown after passing the exam, "f-feels about th-the.. s-same..." Because it was pretty much true; still doubtful, meek and useless feeling. Maple frowned, but mostly at her own thoughts.

"You're ... a th-third year n-now, yes?" And obviously so much cooler and confident, and probably always was. Sigh. Envy.

poke mattix

 

[poke mattix]

Watching the ghoul stutter and tense up made her realize just how shy she seemed. Or maybe she was just frightened at the dragons presence. Was she really that frightening?

"Yup, I'm a third year." She replied, letting her ego inflate just a bit. Because hell yeah she was that dam cool. A terror to be reckoned with. She didn't dwell over it for long however, as it was clear the witch didn't share her confidence and looked ready to curl up and hide somewhere.

"Have you enjoyed yourself at all?" She asked Maple, noting the way she clenched the books in her hand as if it was some short of shield.

chirigami

 

[chirigami]

Ever so slightly, the vice grip on the library books were loosened as Maple finally began to relax. She was always terribly awkward around others, something that seemed to just escalate once she got into school and was surrounded by so many different types of people. And it wasn't like anyone was terribly mean to her or anything, just added to the mental berating with how she reacted.

"Th-thats am-mazing, c-congratulations," she smiled softy, honestly a little envious. The knowledge she had, the power, she didn't seem daunted in the least from what the witch had seen. But she was a dragon, doubt probably never crossed her mind. Probably only awesome did. Unlike her. And the smile disappeared for a moment as she fell into thought.

Enjoyed herself? Hm. "Th-the v-various school ev-vents have b-been really f-fun," Maple nodded, as a small blush popped up as she thought about Prom and how AJ had taken her. "And th-this library is am-mazing," she added as her brown gaze looked at the surrounding books before they settled back on Poke. Because she was unsure of what else to say besides just reiterate the usual cliches, like adding in 'and the classes are very educational' and then possibly turning the question back on the other ghoul. That would be terribly lame.

"I h-haven't had th-the ch-chance t-to," what was a good word for this, "f-find n-new hobbies y-yet." Maple admitted sheepishly. Not that she was actively looking for some, because of that worry of dying from it and all, but it was a good way to express she had very little extracurriculars to occupy her time outside of homework and reading.

poke mattix

 

[poke mattix]

While it did seem she had enjoyed herself, at least sometimes, Poke could see the ghoul still had some doubts about things. A slight frown crossed the dragons face as she continued to talk about the things she did enjoy, right until she admitted to her lack of extracurricular activities.

"I know theres a fair few clubs around you could always join." She suggested. "You could try Amity radio, or the minipet club, or..." She paused to think of other options for Maple to try. "Hmm....I know! How about we have a sparring match! Work on your weaknesses and improve your strengths! I find a good fight always pumps me up!" Although not everyone was as battle crazed as the dragon, and perhaps fighting a second year timid ghoul was probably gonna end in grief, this didn't see to occur to Poke as she looked at Maple eagerly. "How about it? I wont use my full strength of course, it will just be a practice match" And maybe she could get the witch to be more confident in herself too.

chirigami

 

[chirigami]

Maple listened to the dragon's suggestions in silence and with uncertainty; while joining a club seemed like it could be a good idea to broaden her circles, the witch had her usual doubts. She wasn't trying to avoid creeple, she didn't mind them (especially when they took the lead) but she just felt she would be a terrible member, and the usual of things going just wrong. Would she even find something she would be interested in? The ones Poke listed didn't... seem to be up her alley too much (haha, her on the radio).

"I'm n-not..." she began to protest about the suggestions and then snapped her mouth shut when the other ghoul got to the idea of sparring. Maple found herself withdrawing in herself again and looked very hesitant on the notion, "I've n-never... sparred b-before..." It was neither a yes or a no on the matter, but she looked rather worried. She thought it was going to end in grief as well, so much so (even though various other versions of herself were not too bad at fighting...).

Poke received a very deer in the headlights look, ".... um, alr-right..." Tears, this was going to end in tears! Why did she just agree?!

poke mattix

 

[poke mattix]

"Thats alright, I'll show you how to spar" The dragon grinned as Maple agreed, and wasting no time she took her hand and lead her out of the library and towards the gym. Though she could tell the ghoul was about to keel over or burst into tears. (She hoped neither would happen, she'd feel a little bad then..) she was determined to help out the witch.

"Here we are!" She called out joyously, showing Maple to the middle before she ran off to take up a spot on the floor. Upon regarding her 'opponent', Poke decided not to take up a fighters stance. If she showed any real aggression, the poor thing might faint.

"You can make the first move, okay?" She stood there casually, hands resting at her sides.

chirigami

POKERUS SAYS COME AT HER BRO OuO

 

[chirigami]

Thankfully neither of those did happen, nor several other of the options running through Maple's mind as she followed Poke to the gym (running, hyperventilation, sinking into the ground...). Just followed in her apprehensive state of being, wordlessly. And thinking way too much about it in the process.

Mostly about how she was going to die, how terrible she would be at it, how she was going to humiliate herself. But an odd thought as well, one akin to 'maybe this would be a good thing' but she pushed that down. Because that was hopeful and wishful. Or maybe deep down that was keeping her in trailing after the dragon. It would be a learning experience after all.

And so she stood there finally, where Poke had suggested she stand, staring at the other ghoul as she got into a stance. Staring at her pitifully (and thankfully not on the verge of fainting, just really regretting life decisions).

For a moment, even after the go ahead, Maple didn't do much but stood there. Mostly because she didn't know what really. She didn't actually spar, even at home. Just read and tried spells, and blew up things by accident. But she did know how to fight. Kind of, mostly of mixed up memories of lives that weren't exactly her own (how sad really).

So, after a long inhale of air, the witch held out her hands and gripped the broom that appeared tightly in her grasp. This was as much as she knew what to do, to hold it and.. wield it? Aunt Rose didn't teach her how to wield it as a pole arm, just to channel her FEAR through to initiate spells and fly (they never got to self defense or anything before she got to school). Which sometimes worked. But it was her's all the same. And so Maple took her first action as she had done once with a keybladed weapon in the shape of a broom and a degree of weapons in a bizarre life as a shadow.

She swung the broadside (bristles really) of it at Poke. "I'm s-sorry..." The witch whispered, "I d-don't know wh-what I'm d-doing..."

Quote:

hp: 40/40
damage: 4

poke mattix

well, if you insist xD

 

[poke mattix]

Poke made sure to wait patiently for Maple to make her attack, not wanting to put off the ghoul as she decided upon a move. Though as she waited it started to occur to the dragon that she might not know how to fight. It wasn't something the dragon ghoul considered; she had assumed that Maple would know some sort of spell, as she was a reaper. And the idea was that monsters weren't good with magic, so the witch would be at a advantage right?

Instead of facing any fireballs or blasts of magic, she was smacked in the face with the bristles of the broom. It was more startling then painful, and she was only just able to hear Maples whispered words. (Though at this point she had already guessed this as it felt like the witch was trying to sweep her away instead of fight her)

"It's okay, it's why we're here to practice!" grasping the edge of the broom, she smiled as she moved it in a up and down fashion. "See, if you're going to fight someone with a broom then it'll be best to whack them on the head like this-

Her face then turned pale when, as she was maneuvering the other end of the broom, she accidentally forced it downwards. Holy hack did she just smack Maple on the head?. "Oh jack- Maple are you alright?!"

She really hadn't meant to do that...

Quote:

HP: 46
Damage: 8