Board Thread:Roleplay/@comment-25686329-20150610231734/@comment-25686329-20150611212918

((I get the feeling the 'Real Name' bit is going to become a recurring issue with them XD I love it.)

"Pleasure's mine." was the Yankee's response. He took a step away form her swing and shoved his sword into the ground, leaning casually against the hilt with one arm.

"''Niiicollllle..." ''He said slowly, letting the name gradually roll off his tongue. His lip curled slightly as the sound of it enetered his ears, was picked apart by his brain.

"That's not gonna fly." He finally finished. "If you're going to be associated with me, you're going to need something a little more streamlined..." The wheels in his head appeared to already be turning, thinking of a name.

He said no more of this, instead plucking the blade from where it lay lodged and, taking a few uneven, purposefully disorganized steps, leapt into a clash. This was getting a little predictable.

He took in the next bit about acquantances, sharp and blunt aspects.

He blinked and ran his tongue over the back of his tongue, thinking. He smiled a touch, finding words.

"...Are you referring to yourself, or was that a dig at me?" He gave a quick, noiseless laugh, mostly at himself, for he was fairly sure that she had just made a personal jab at him. Even if he was used to it, however, he still didn't love remarks like that.

She pushed suddenly, a (even he had to admit) strong blow unbefitting of her frame. He lost his footing breifly, mostly from surprise, but then elected to concede, countinuing his stumble into a fall.

Landing on his back, she found her blade trained on him. She still had the gun, but...

Nah, he'd see where this was going. He liked her decisiveness.

And then came the question about the name.

His expression changed from smirking amusement to a blank, remembering, rueful face tinged with slight anger.

"...You have not given me a single... bloody... reason to divulge that." He spat, finally. There was a long, tense silence as he struggled to find words.

He wanted to yell, lash out... but couldn't.

Something unexplainable was stopping him.

Perhaps it was that the girl was brave enough to ask, to attempt to force it out of him. Not many were ballsy enough to do that.

Respect.

... but annoyance was still present in his mind.

He scoffed submissively, shrugging off the question (which he was SURE was going to resurface later). Using a single finger, he averted the blade's point up and away from his chest.

"Look, Nix," He said, standing up gradually. Even the Yankee himself took a moment to realize that he had just nicknamed the girl. "Pretty kick-arse fighter. I like that. You don't seem like the kind that holds back, swords OR words." He extended a hand for her to shake. Part of him wondered if she was equally appreciative of a good combatant or conversationalist.

At last he said, "If you're not off on some quest or whatever, I think I have somethin' you might enjoy..."

He angled his body slightly, as if to turn and continue away, but he jerked his head slightly, nodding for her to follow, should she choose.