One week later
The coming week had seen the trio divided in the short time they had known each other. Ophelia spent the majority of the time either in her room or out roaming the wild gardens. Claude spent this time practicing Fencing with a servant, drinking blood and reading at his leisure in his study But the one who felt the most lost was Sam, who felt the strangest urge to beat someone or at least kill the vampire who was always just fast enough to avoid his gaze. This was proving futile and useless as he decided to just leave them when they all left their rooms at the same time a sort of awkwardness filled the air around them.
" Sam, Claude it's been a while." Ophelia broke the ice, her bag slung over her shoulder as she smiled.
" It has been awhile little ghost, have you mostly recovered already from the incident." Claude cautiously asked. They had avoided the talk of the previous event a week ago.
" Yeah, for the most part, yeah." she trailed off.
" I'm leaving," Sam said they tried to go to him he growled.
" You can't just leave, we're supposed to be here, together I can feel it." Ophelia urged.
" he's mad at me, not you little ghost" Claude yawned. Sam stomped his way as he grabbed the collar of Claudes ruffled up blouse. getting close to his face he let his nails grow out as it tore his shirt. Claude's fangs split apart his gums as he hissed back.
" Your right, why not tell us about what happened, huh? How do you get to have a bunch of secrets, and not tell us anything."
" fine I'll compromise. but you have to win me in a fencing match." CLaude retracted his canine's.
" Fine." As they each went to another room, a servant helped Claude suit up in his old uniform and then his fencing sword. Sam pulled on a pair of thick gloves, after he then pulled on a set of shiny leather black boots. After putting them on He smooths his long hair and takes the offered fencing sword. It almost looked like a toothpick in his hand but it was sturdy and long. Thin yet full of power he was once told. Although fencing wasn't his strongest he excelled at swordsmanship, how nice it would have been to have an actual duel with Claude.
"Alright gentlemen and woman, the rules are clear the first to earn three points win. I'd like a clean and dark fight, no cheap shots or distraction. All onlookers are prohibited from entering the duel unless it is over or called for a break. Take your stance," the butler says in the middle. A pin drops in silence as Ophelia bites her lower lip. Her hair is a mess of sort piled on top, her legs crossed anxiously as she watches. The party had moved to another official fencing room where the middle held a proper black arena. TheI onlookers on the far side a couch, chairs and a Matt in the front. The only onlookers was a maid with water and cloths, Ophelia and another Butler with a. First aide kit.
"An-garde,pret, allez ." He briskly says walking away from the middle. They take quick jabbing motions at first, before they give one another space. Sam has a better grip on his sword while Claude is fluid in his motions. They dance in tune as if they are performing a dance of rivals. They tip toe around almost starving to make contact with the others body. It's futile as they keep trying they make no official score.
After ten minutes, Claude finds an opening and stabs Sam in the neck.
"Point for the master," the Butler gets int he middle. Ophelia claps for his point as Claude smirks. Sam growls before shaking zit off. Get it together, he says and grabs the sword that was thrown off to the floor.
"An-garde,pret, allez," the same Butler says aloud.
"Why does he say that in the beginning?" Ophelia ask. One of the maids with blonde braided answers.
"It's the terms used, like ready set go. The swords used today are foils, see how the blade is rectangular rather than flat it's the middle set used in matches. It's the smallest and injuries are rare. Although this is a casual fight it won't hurt if they hit one another," she explains. Ophelia smiles as she watches in awe as they clash foil to foil. The clang and swish is heard in the quiet match as Sam counter swishes and smiles as he takes control and wields the foils so that his sword throws off, making Claude lose control on his grip. With that he his left to surrender ahis sword as it is throw out, Sam "lightly"stabs the other mans chest. And oof is heard from Claude.
"Damn bloody foil," he mutters as he picks it up. Ophelia chuckles as she claps. The duel continues for at least another hour as they grunt, sweat and try to win. It's a close draw almost as the last duel is drawn.
"Come on now, you've been dueling for two hours." Ophelia sighs. She grips the ends of dress, she become tired. As have the men, not that they would ever admit it. Sweat pools down Sams forehead as he gets even more aggressive with each jab. Claude smirks as he equally raises his defense. It's a close fight as Claude kicks Sam in the stomach before he hovers over him foil close to Sams chest he chuckles.
"Enough! I win," he declares. Sam sighs as he pushes past Claude, and sits next to Ophelia. A maid hands him a glass of water as he removes the gloves and takes fast gulps, Ophelia give him a warm expression as he murmurs under his breath.
"I let him win," Sam says. Ophelia breaks out in giggles. As she falls on her back to laugh Sam rolls his eyes as Claude gets close enough to shake his hand. Extending it out , Sam just pulls the old vampire down so he tumbles with a gentle clash.
"Damn you." Clause retorts pushing back his blonde locks he notices Ophelia laying on her back. As he also flips over to lay down and stare at the dark ceiling, Sam is reluctant to join them but slowly lays down as well. They lay down in silence feeling the manor house grow quiet and peaceful. As the light enters in small openings of the curtains illuminates over sam and Ophelia's face. The flint of light lets them take a deep breath to m subtle peace even in the darkness of the room. They gentle think of nothing but the moment as the light dies out.
