He was oblivious to the young woman's presence and continued to strike the dummy, his motion possessing a certain sort of grace. Alister was steadfast, body slightly hunched to propel his blows with greater force. He struck hard and true, stepping into the strike with complete control and confidence. Even his breathing was fully composed, and he was not yet winded. He was quick and precise with just enough bulk to be an effective defender. His body was hard and trimmed to the last, his abdomen cut with taut defined musculature. It looked easy enough, but without an opponent there was no challenge to be had. He practiced his stances, and before young dog made herself known he struck once more, a feigning strike, his shield high, while he swung his sword low.
Only then did his muzzle break into a grin as he admired his handiwork, the straw peeking out in several places from the cloth. A voice caught his attention. He turned to see a gold and black hued girl who looked to be just shy of a year old. The knight smiled amiably, "I'd have to agree." He glanced over his shoulder at the dummy, it was truly in poor shape, leaning on its pole, "he's seen better days, I think."
The wolfdog quirked a brow at the girl, watching as she immediately assumed a fighting stance. Very direct, this one. He supposed introductions would just have to come later. Oft a man's character could be learned through combat. Lifting his sword to his face, he nodded once before taking his stance, confirming his willingness to sparr. Normally he wouldn't engage in this sort of thing before an introduction at the very least, but something about her manner told him to play along. So he set his feet apart, lifted his shield and held his sword with the blade flat, parallel to the top of the shield. Hazel eyes regarded her through the gap and slowly he began to circle, his steps light, prepared for anything. He tested her first, his bastard sword clipping lightly against hers.
.goodies b {color:#fff; font-weight:normal;}
.goodies p {text-indent:30px; padding:0px 15px 0px 15px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 0px;}
.goodies {font-family:calibri; font-size:12px; color:#A29D69; line-height:15px; padding:180px 0px 5px 0px; border:1px solid #fff; outline:1px solid #000000; background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/ISvAY.png); background-position: top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; background-color:#7C3D3D; width:480px; text-align:justify; }
</style> [/html]