Gambling rings there were, and plenty of private bets as well. This was Torchline, after all, and if profit could be made, it would be. No one was paying any attention to the two novice fighters, however, when the skilled professionals further down the beach were putting on a far more impressive display than the tentative game being played by the merman and the young woman at the intersection of sea and shore.
Tentative but enthusiastic as their kites dipped and soared, sometimes under control and sometimes... less so.
For instance, Hadama gave a brief nod of satisfaction when his line cut across Noe's, an oblique angle that wouldn't provide a decisive blow but might set up a successful attack later. He had miscalculated on his ability to dodge away, however, and it left his opponent's kite in excellent position to return the favor. Noe yelled, the lionfish charged, and the mermanta couldn't quite pull his string fast enough for the shark to evade. Noe's line sang and snagged against his own and he struggled to match her movements to prevent further damage to his own frayed string.
Giving up the chance to attack, he focused entirely on disengaging and dodging to put a little distance between them so he could re-evaluate and plan his next attack.
Tentative but enthusiastic as their kites dipped and soared, sometimes under control and sometimes... less so.
For instance, Hadama gave a brief nod of satisfaction when his line cut across Noe's, an oblique angle that wouldn't provide a decisive blow but might set up a successful attack later. He had miscalculated on his ability to dodge away, however, and it left his opponent's kite in excellent position to return the favor. Noe yelled, the lionfish charged, and the mermanta couldn't quite pull his string fast enough for the shark to evade. Noe's line sang and snagged against his own and he struggled to match her movements to prevent further damage to his own frayed string.
Giving up the chance to attack, he focused entirely on disengaging and dodging to put a little distance between them so he could re-evaluate and plan his next attack.
