Tale as Old As Time [Finished]

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian continued pressing his attack, swinging again for Lance's face. "Don't tell me you're slowing down already!" Now that Lance looked, he could see that Obsidian's hands had darkened. "Or were you really thinking I wasn't prepared!"

Morden smiled a little. "Arketoí gló̱sses*" He clears his throat. "Ignosce, mi Greek potius malus .*"

(*Quite a few languages.)

(**Sorry, my Greek is rather bad)

[accalia]

Julie laughs, her bright, barking laugh.

Julie: my dear man, i'll spare you my accent then for while i understand it well enough my spoken greek has always been absolutely atrocious!

Julie pauses and looks around, her hair puffing out slightly

Julie: a wolf? here? or is it just a trick of the hour and a sign i very much need some sleep?

[yamikuronue]

Lance ducks and weaves -- seems he's got dodging down pat, at least. "You wish!" he snarls, his voice low and menacing though his tone is just as lighthearted as before. The backs of his hands have started to sprout coarse, dark fur, and his clothing is itching him.

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian starts mixing his attacks with feints and a few kicks. "Don't know. Seems like you're starting to slow down to me." There was a slight smirk as he kept the pressure on Lance to keep dodging.

Morden scratched his ear slightly. "I...don't believe you are imagining things...it also seems like someone is...practicing." He seemed somewhat confused. "Hmm....that would eliminate a few theories I had. Also, I find that slightly hard to believe, given what I can only assume to be a very high amount of dedication you would have to a given task."

[yamikuronue]

Lance stumbles into one of the kicks -- he's gotten a bit shorter, more compact, his legs smaller and his torso more dense. Frustrated, he shreds his shirt off him with his claws, revealing brown fur with red highlights; as he lunges, his mouth has formed more of a muzzle, which allows for sharp teeth.

"That's just your slow-ass lagging," he snarls, his voice deep but still able to manage recognizable words. He doesn't fight with his teeth, though -- only his claws, mixed with punches and kicks.

[accalia]

Julie: ah, you caught me then.... yes, truth is i haven't actually spent much time in Greece nor had much reason to actually learn the language, I know enough to know Greek when i hear it and took a guess at your meaning based on your tone and facial expression. you really are a most perceptive fellow. One almost wonders if you have seen the veil or not. but i'm just talking to myself there.

[CalamityJade]

Morden gave a smile. "Now, what kind of fool would work with a family with the history that it has and NOT have some idea of the world people choose to ignore...to be quite honest, this is one of the better times I've been asked for assistance. For one, no one seems to have made too much of a mess..." Morden frowned. "I apologize. That must sound very cold, considering that several people were killed."

Obsidian always blocked the claw strikes with his forearms, which would scrape as if running against stone. He was definitely focusing on defense, only getting strikes at arms that were too far extended or legs that were swinging wide. "Well, then you're a piss-poor fighter to be letting ME set the tempo. Come on, I thought you were supposed to be fast. Or are you letting the mystery man outpace ya?"

[yamikuronue]

"And here I was just getting warmed up!" With a snarl, Lance lunges low, as though to bite Obsidian's legs; when Obsidian goes to block with his arms, he instead flings a handful of dirt and dead leaves into his face so he can go in for the torso with a headbutt.

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian was 'blinded' as he tried to keep his stance. He wouldn't have to worry too much, but why was the kid now fighting dir- His thoughts were halted when the impact of Lance actually HURT. He quickly brought both fists down on Lance's exposed back as he tried to give himself some space for a moment. Holy SHIT, how hard could that kid HIT like this.

[accalia]

Julie: hmm.... so you have seen past the veil.... I wonder.... what has your remarkable perception told you about me and my partners?

[yamikuronue]

Lance yelps -- a canine sound, not a human one -- as he pulls back, hooking his arm around to sweep at Obsidian's knees as he pulls back.

[CalamityJade]

Morden gave a polite nod. "Well, you would have to be easier than your partners. I know that all three of you were helped by this man who's currently calling himself Echo, so I can imagine he would have to be one who lives beyond the veil, like ourselves. The fact that he helped you as well as your associates makes me believe that such assistance would have to be rather...unique, especially from what I was able to figure out about yourself. For now, I can solidly say that we are in a similar run of business, having talents in the mundane and less than mundane worlds. As far as yourself, in particular, I would surmise that you have the same affliction as our guest, but seeing his manners and mannerisms I would gather you have had yours for some time." Morden paused a moment. "Oh, sorry. I don't mean to say I have tried to guess your age, just that you have much more experience."

Obsidian took a leap back as well, the kick managing to send him to one knee to stabilize rather than landing solidly. "Damn...guess I DID misjudge a bit. Your tough as hell, kid." He put a fist into the opposite palm. "But how about we end this before one of us gets hurt."

[yamikuronue]

"Why, you getting scared?" Lance taunts, before pushing the advantage with a lunge and a series of swipes.

[accalia]

Julie: You are perceptive, right on all counts. In fact the reason i met Echo was when i became.... ah as you said afflicted.  As for my partners... they have different afflictions and i'll say no more there. those are their secrets not mine. Now I am wondering what caused you to look beyond the veil... or maybe you yourself are beyond the veil and just remarkably adept at hiding that...

[CalamityJade]

Obsidian shook his head as he charged right at Lance. "Arma lapis!" The mark's glow intensified as his body entirely took on the same dark coloration to the point of being almost pitch black. The swipes scratched and scraped as Obsidian moved to block them before countering with strikes and punches aimed for his joints. "Getting to be past your bedtime, I think."

Morden chuckled. "That's rather...easy to speak of. All I had to do was read the wrong book at the right time. Granted it was a very unique book and the timing was...dubious. I mostly hide it by make-up and some contacts." He chuckled. "Avoiding royalty also helps, though I'm not sure if I have that sort of compulsion, being more of a...allusion to a thing rather than the thing itself."