Chapter 7
Anne spent the rest of the day avoiding her roommates like a damn sport. Polly and Sprig played a big help in the process (even though the two knew Anne didn't have much to worry about). Polly knowing most of Marcy's classes and Sprig knowing Sasha didn't study what the siblings studied. The only classes Anne had to worry about was the common classes every student had. Polly assured her if any of the two would be in the common classes it would be Sasha as Marcy took more advanced classes. And even if Sasha was in one of those classes Anne could just skip, using the excuse that she's a new student.
Though the ONE class Sprig nor Polly ever considered a possibility, was duals. Which was the same class the two had with Anne and Sasha. So here Anne stood with Sprig and Polly by her side. Watching a extremely strong (attractive*) armoured blonde sword fight a unlucky opponent. "Yeah, I uh- forgot... Sorry An-!" A quick jab to the stomach cut Sprig's apology short. "Only me?" He muttered before letting go of his stomach. "Maybe we can just leave? I mean Sasha's got a pretty big crowd." Polly suggested, hoping that she wouldn't be punished like her brother. Anne nodded and started to back away, Sprig and Polly following her step.
Before either of them could get to the exit, multiple cheers erupted the large room. The once again, unlucky opponent now laid on their back. A foot pressed up against their chest, forcing them to stay on the ground. A pink sword pointed at the neck, just inches away. Blood dripping from a cut to the kids jaw. Sasha stood tall over the fallen loser with calm breath. She didn't even break a sweat.
"Go, go, go, go" Anne backed away, pushing Polly and Sprig closer to the exit with her. Before the two siblings could leave a voice called them out. "Sprig, Polly, mop-top!" All head turned towards the trio. A rather large, well built women demanded their attention. Anne raised an eyebrow, "did she just call me 'mop-top'?" She whispered to her siblings who weren't paying attention to her. "Coach Priscilla! Crazy seeing you here isn't it?" Sprig said, his volume a little to loud to be considered normal. The woman, apparently named Priscilla, walked up to the siblings.
She was a grey t-shirt missing its right sleeve, armoured shoulder pads, armoured knee pads, an armoured glove on her right hand while her left hand was tightly wrapped in bandages, black tight shorts and armoured boots. Lotta gear for a teacher but hey who are you to judge. The coach stood just a few feet ahead of the pair. "Who's this mop-top?" She questioned pointing towards Anne. Anne nodded "okay, yeah she did" she muttered to herself. Before Priscilla could comment on Anne Polly was quick to jump in.
"This is our older sister Anne! Don't know if you got the memo but she's now attends here." Polly introduced. Anne gave a little wave to her new coach, feeling very uncomfortable with the attention on her. She could hear people mumbling to one an other. Priscilla hums looking Anne up and down. "You don't look like you can hold a sword." Anne furrowed her eyebrows, "and you look like you don't need one." The class went dead quiet, Anne knew she had fucked up. Getting expelled on day one, honestly wouldn't be a new record for her.
Sprig held his breath while Priscilla and Anne played part in a staring contest. Just as Sprig felt like he would pass out do to lack of oxygen Priscilla's very stern face morphed into a sharp tooth grin. Anne was confused but before she could mutter a question Priscilla threw her arm over the smaller girls shoulder. "Sinlcair! You got a worthy opponent!"
Oh no.
As much as Sasha loved fighting people, Anne was one of the very few people who she didn't want to fight. She already upset the poor girl once today. Sasha did not want to go for a double. "Coach class is almost up, I don't think we have for another round." Sasha spoke up now walking towards Priscilla. Refusing to look anywhere remotely close to Anne.
Priscilla looked at her with a teasing smirk. "What? Afraid you've met your match?" She asked in a mocking tone. Sasha furrow her eyebrows with a scoff crossing her arms, "no! But I'm afraid we don't have enough time and it'll be called as a tie."
Priscilla thought for a second. Then she shrugged. "I'll write ya notes. Now get to it!" She gave Anne a shove, pushing her closer to one of the people she had been trying to avoid. The other students starting cheering 'fight' repeatedly. Sasha let out a low growl before turning hot on her heel, making her way towards the middle of the room. A quick slicing sound rang throughout the room as Sasha unsheathed her sword.
As much as Sasha didn't want to go against Anne she never backed down from a fight. If she did then she'd be a weakling. Her classmates wouldn't see her a leader, someone not to fuck with. Her followers would question if they were following to right person. Sasha had a hunger for power (do to past events). And unfortunately it overpowered every other emotion she had.
Anne blink. "Uh- do I get a sword?" "Oh right" Priscilla patted her shoulder before leaving her side and returning a weathered sword. The blade had a dull shine with nicks here and there. The handle bared slice marks as well as a worn spot where hands would rest. "Great", Anne muttered. She looked up towards her very intimidating (hot*) opponent. Who, was staring back at her. Quickly she looked back at her siblings who both gave her weary thumbs ups.
The room was loud. People not so quietly whispering to one an other while an occasional bark of laughter was let out.
Swallowing her already small amount of pride Anne walked towards Sasha, her sword hanging freely from her hand. Anne got into a stance. Her weight on the tips of her toes, ready to pounce or dodge at a second. Both hands tightly grasped the base of the sword. She took deep breaths as she waited for the opposing to make the first move.
Sasha was in a similar stance to Anne with minor differences. Her weight was put on the base of her feet. Holding her sword confidently with one hand while the other curled into a tight fist. Her breathing calm. This was her specialty after all. It's what she does the best.
Priscilla's footsteps echoed through the now quiet room. "We play by Toad rules. First sight of blood and your done." Her voice bombs. Sprig gulped nervously as he stood by her. Praying to whatever mortal being for Anne's safety. He's gone up against Sasha a few time before. She was never kind about this. Meanwhile Polly was silently excited about the duel. She had seen Anne in action a few time. Polly knew she had a fighting chance again Sasha.
The coach put her fingers to up mouth making a sharp, loud, whistle. "Let the battle begin!"
Sasha made the first move. Running at Anne with the intention of stabbing her. Anne was thankfully able to block the attack, but before she time to think Sasha delivered a heavy amount of quick strikes. All of which Anne was somehow able to block.
Anne was surprised at Sasha's speed and her coordination. Most of her attacks were heavy, with the light strike here and there whenever Anne was close to losing her footing. The light strikes where quick, almost a blur in attempt to catch her opponent of guard.
Even with Sasha's well coordinated strikes Anne was able to protect herself from each one. Her movements were definitely sloppy unlike Sasha's who's movement were clean and sharp.
The two striked each other. Their swords scrapping together making a horrid sound as both refused to retreat. Sasha's face came awfully close to Anne's, "just give up. I don't want to hurt you." She whispered.
Anne wanted to. She didn't want to fight anyone! Hell she wasn't even much of a fan of swords! The only time she had ever really used a sword was when Hop-pop thought it was a good idea to leave her, Polly and Sprig with a wanted robber. But she knew better. This fight would clearly make or break her. This fight would decide if she had a good year or a bad year. She needed to keep a decent reputation this year.
"I can't. You give up." Anne whispered back. Sasha's eyes narrowed as she gently shook her head. Anne gathered all her strength and forced Sasha's sword into the the ground before swiping it away. The pink sword clashed on the ground before sliding by Priscilla, Sprig and Polly.
Everyone gasped including Sasha as Anne cheered, lifting her sword in the air. But it wasn't over. Thinking quickly Sasha grabbed her dagger from one of her holders and attacked Anne while she was celebrating, who of barely shielded herself from the unsuspecting attack. "Oh come on a dagger?!" Sasha was quick to retrieve her sword from the ground before running back at Anne.
Anne tried to chop Sasha as she ran up to her but she rolled out of the way over to Anne's side. Anne quickly turned her head and tried to slice Sasha who effortlessly blocked the attack.
Then something no one expected happened. Sasha ripped off her cape before throwing it over Anne's face, successfully blinding her. She then swiped Anne's legs out from under her causing her to fall down. The second Anne removed to cape Sasha stood over her. Pointing her sword directly at her.
"I told you to give up! What's gotten into you?" All day Anne had been avoiding Sasha, which was fair Sasha didn't blame her. But now they were fighting each other and Anne blatantly refused to forfeit.
Anne clinched her fist before repositioning the grasp on her sword. Then as Sasha opened her mouth to speak one again Anne swung her sword up. Knocking Sasha's sword out of her hand once again and her dagger.
The force was so strong and unexpected it sent Sasha flying back onto the floor. A dark red gash staining her cheek just below her right eye. Anne now stood over her, the withered sword pointing at her now downed opponent. Red liquid painted the tip of the sword.
Anne had won.