Knife Throwing at the Viper's Pit [Nexus_Crossings]

[tr1ckortreat]

Loki had been in the Nexus a good few weeks now and had gotten used to some of the locale and locals inhabiting the place. His brother was a welcome addition and even some of the mortals were not too bad considering. Yet, he felt wasted. He had to hone his skills, so he had decided to use the opportunity to frequent the Viper's Pit establishment owned by another Loki.

A knife throwing contest.

It was open to all out in the back so that people had enough room to move and spectate if they so wished. The knife throwing board was a straw target perched up with a bulls-eye painted in the middle. A standard target used by archers and knife-throwers alike. Loki also arranged for a few jugs of mead and wine to be close by so that spectators and opponents could keep themselves hydrated.

"I wonder who the first will be to reach a bulls-eye. Anyone feel up to challenging a god?"

His smirk was genuine and so were the black-hilted knives he was currently flipping into the air and catching deftly. His long digits easily finding the handle avoiding the blade effortlessly. A thousand or more years being trained in knives helped.

Comments

[silverseamariner]

skekSa the Mariner comes in, huge even by the standards of a large, powerful species. She wears her scarlet longcoat, her cutlass buckled closely to her side along with a brace of throwing-knives. Like Loki, she has had a long, long time to practice, and she's wary of anybody who calls themselves a god. That is what skekSo is like. She doesn't make any hostile words or gestures, but she intends to put Loki in his place if she can.

"How would you like to challenge a Skeksis, lad?" She draws one of her knives, ready to toss it at a moment's notice. Her tail twines with anticipation. She liked Loki well enough when she met him, but arrogance annoys her - ironic for a being made out of passion and the urSkek saSan's flaws.

[tr1ckortreat]

The sight of the huge blue bird creature known as skekSa entered the building causing a smile to tug at Loki's lips. So, she had decided to come along and compete in this evening's game of skill. Good. It made it more the merrier and there was no doubt in Loki's mind that she was probably more skilled than she looked.

"Ah, skekSa. Welcome. I'm glad you could make it."

He was in a good mood so greeting his guests and possible opponents was Loki's job tonight. A good host was one with a quick wit and silver-tongue an he had both. As for losing? That made him cock his head curiously. His eyes flick to the knife she drew and wondered how quick were the Skeksis in their craft?

"I always enjoy a good challenge."

[silverseamariner]

"Good! So do I. This is a fine place you've set up for a competition."

Loki's guess is right. skekSa reveals her secondary pair of arms, smaller but very capable of holding knives as well. She and the Hunter are the only two Skeksis whose secondary arms are neither withered nor useless - which makes her especially dangerous in battle as someone who can wield four blades at once rather than one or two. It also is an asset to knife-throwing.

"Should we use your blades or mine?"

She shifts, showing Loki the set of knives she has along with her cutlass. There are throwing-knives along with daggers there. While her cutlass is her favorite weapon, there are times when smaller blades are more useful, so she prefers to keep a variety of them on her person at all times. Unlike most Skeksis, with the exceptions of the General and the Hunter, she actively fights and keeps herself active.

[tr1ckortreat]

"Where else better to set up a knife-throwing competition than a place owned by one of my many counterparts."

The mischievous smile was now shining through his obvious expression of amusement regarding the Viper's Pit. The younger scamp version of his owned this place and it didn't surprise Loki to know this, since he had good taste in things. The arms though? Those caught him off guard somewhat.

"I never knew you had two pairs of arms, skekSa. They must come in useful when stabbing your enemies multiple times."

A dangerous flash from his eyes and then a sip of his wine whilst he contemplated how she would fair in battle. The avian was practically a one-bird army. She was probably ruthless with that cutlass too. An interesting creature indeed. Loki's eyes ghosted over her throwing knives and knew it probably made no difference since everyone was welcome to bring along their own weapons. As long as they were knives of course.

"You may use your own weapons. As long as you don't cheat. This is a fine establishment, after all."

Of course it was. Run and owned by a Loki. The sarcasm was all there to see in his voice and Loki loved it.

[silverseamariner]

"They are useful in a fight at close quarters, yes. I have other ways to fight from a distance." That's usually when her thunder-eggs come in. They're small but powerful explosives.

skekSa withdraws her secondary arms some, but they're still in plain view.

"All Skeksis have four arms, though not all of us can use them. Most of us let them grow atrophied from lack of use, all but myself and the Hunter. It's an unfortunate consequence of the castle-dwellers' lifestyle. Hardly any of them do their own fighting anymore."

While skekMal allows himself to be used by the Emperor, she respects him for keeping himself in good fighting condition if nothing else. skekGra's secondary arms were damaged as part of his punishment. The Conqueror she knew was a crafty and unscrupulous fighter, one of the most feared Skeksis for good reason, but the Heretic he is now doesn't fight at all.

The Mariner nods. She's not above cheating - while she prefers a clean fight when she can get away with it, she's no fool. skekSa is a pirate. Being willing and able to fight dirty comes with the territory, and while she likes Loki well enough she doesn't trust him, either.

[tr1ckortreat]

She would be well not to trust Loki, being the God of Mischief. His track record for cheating was--well, it was quite a long list to be precise. He often cheated during games back on Asgard when it was axe throwing and Thor would partake as well as Loki. What was wrong with having a little fun?

"Such a shame that many of your race have lost the use of their many arms. I am sure you are quick and skilful. We shall see."

He offered skekSa a coy grin and moved back a little so she could get her first throw off. How would she do? For an avian pirate she looked the part in a bar knife throwing contest and Loki guessed she might be more skilled than most. Those arms though--they were impressive. Sipping his wine carefully, he watched the large pirate bird make her move.

[silverseamariner]

"Yes, we shall." She wouldn't hold cheating seriously against him, but she'd use it as an excuse to cheat back.

skekSa uses her primary arms to throw the blade. This is a casual game, not battle, though she does use her secondary arms to make sure they stay strong. Her primary set is more muscular and a little better at aiming. She narrows her eyes, gauging the distance before she makes her move. A calculated toss is different from the rush of combat. It's a different sort of skill.

She throws a blade and it hits the middle ring, not hitting the center but not far from it, either. "How was that for a first throw?"

[tr1ckortreat]

"Not bad at all. But, I know you can do better."

He offered the huge avian a challenging stare, hoping to bring out her competitive nature. Loki loved a challenge and he also loved winding people up to his own end. Surely, skekSa could see that in the mischievous nature of the god. Yes, he was enjoying seeing how people threw their knives, but he also wanted to create an atmosphere of challenge and fun. Always the fun element added.

"I do hope you won't dream of cheating. That just won't do at all."

There was mock scolding in his voice as he sipped his drink and licked his lower lip. His eyes shone with a dangerous energy and his voice was no more than a sultry purr. How he loved goading his opponents on.

[silverseamariner]

"Better? I haven't even started. Watch and see."

The Skeksis's red eyes narrow as she turns to Loki. She has a temper, all right, but these aren't really the circumstances when it comes out. But she's definitely provoked a little bit. His arrogance annoys her, and she has yet to assess his skills for herself.

"The way you talk," skekSa mutters, "I can't tell if you want me to cheat or not." She's not going to until he does, but he's anything but straightforward about what he wants. She backs up to try again. She tosses, the blade landing closer to the target this time.

She prefers using a knife from her own set. While Loki's magic knives aren't bad, they're what she knows best.

[tr1ckortreat]

"Very well. Then, I shall indeed watch and see."

He offered her a brief nod and leaned back against the wall wondering where her next throw will end up. There was no doubt that she had a slight irritation in her voice and Loki could pick out the slightest of annoyance in someone's voice. It was part of the reason why he was good at stepping back to watch and listen, unlike Thor, who charged in head on. The brothers had their own skills and Loki's excelled in speech. skekSa's throw was better this time.

"Ah, good. Your knives are keen and your eye is getting sharper I see. That was a better throw."

Perhaps there was a reason why she chose her own knives over his. Preference often made the difference.

[silverseamariner]

"I haven't had a chance to see your skills in play." The Mariner's voice is a low purr, with a hint of aggression behind it. "And if you cheat, as a polite warning, I shall take that as permission to do the same. If one side cheats, it's only fair that the other side can cheat, too."

skekSa tosses again, hitting the border between the innermost and second smallest ring.

"These knives were made on the planet of Thra." Not her home world, but the world she considers home nevertheless. "They're made for my kind's use."

Since they're bigger and stronger than humans, Skeksis weapons are differently built. That, and she's attached to her own weapons.