I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

It had been a long time since June was issued a challenge. So long in fact that when she had received it, she at first thought of it as a prank. It was all so sudden.

"My name is Honoo Raion, and I wish to defeat you in battle. Meet me in the burned portion of the Spica forest at noon tomorrow. I will not accept a refusal."

Whoever she was, she definitely sounded serious. June brought her beloved rapier with her in case the woman meant fencing, but also wore an appropriate outfit for flexibility. It was the first time she wore shorts that weren't just meant to cover under her skirt in ages, and they felt good. She also wore a dark sleeveless collared shirt, and some boots that would keep her from slipping but wouldn't obstruct movement along with dark stockings to cover certain scars.

_____

On the other hand, Raion arrived an hour early and waited. She opted for a black skirt, red leggings, a red tank top, and a white spring jacket that she left open. She had her hair in a ponytail to prevent it from flowing everywhere. This was a fight she had to be prepared for. In her hand was her own rapier, nothing flashy about it.

_____

June arrived on location about ten minutes early, eager to see if this was real or not. The sight of the Lioness was a surprise, even if she suspected the challenger to be real. She was not expecting such a height difference or age gap.

"Raion?" she asked. Raion turned to look into the eyes of her opponent for the first time.

"You have the eyes of a demon." she said, smirking. "I like that. You don't hold back on anyone, do you?"

"Never." June replied. "But if I may, why challenge me out of the blue with a note?"

"I've heard you're good. Rumors spread that you took on a skilled fencer bare handed on campus during Winter. Nobody seems to know the outcome, but I knew I had to determine your skill for myself when I heard."

"Geez, that again?" she shook her head. "Well, alright. Name your game."

Raion raised her rapier to her opponent, and a fire glinted in her eyes. June nodded, and raised hers as well. Their stances were very different - June was fairly light on her feet, while Raion maintained ground. There was something different to her step though. Something Spicans never displayed normally. There was precision in the direction she placed her foot in when taking stance.

"No safety gear. You alright with that?" June asked, as if she needed a response.

"We wouldn't be able to move properly if we had it on." Raion growled out.

_____

The two stood, watching each other for a moment, before June made the first step forward. She did not attack, and Raion did not flinch. The second step forward was also June, and on this step she flicked her wrist forward in attempt to surprise Raion into a bad parry. It had no effect, which was both great and unfortunate. An opponent who knew to keep composure was great to fight, but it did mean she had to be careful. Raion in turn gave a sharp step which turned into sort of a hop forward, pressing herself closely to June and keeping them both at elbow distance. Hard to swing a sword from that range.

"Eh?" June's footing remained on point, and she made an effort to pivot away, but Raion caught her movement and raised an arm in that direction to prevent her from going far without forcing Raion to change direction as well. It worked, and she spun to face June aiming a thrust forward.

If not for a quick parry, June would have eaten that attack. Thankfully she had regained her desired range now, and kept a close eye on the Lioness. An opponent like this was not Astraea bred. The same happened with Zephyra.

"Where'd you learn to move?" she beckoned, her stance shifting. "I didn't realize I could go all out against you."

"My sources are none of your concern. You fight with everything you've got, and maybe I'll tell you if you win."

June adopted her personal style now, leaning down, drooping an arm to her side listlessly, and keeping her blade arm tucked tightly to her chest. One would think her stance ridiculous until they took it on. Raion responded in turn with another lunge forward, aiming at the drooped arm. With luck, her prediction would be correct and June would dodge in that direction, scoring a point.

Things were rarely so easy. She used the drooped arm as a flail, almost - at first backstepping just out of range, and then winding her whole body into a swing which not only caused her limp arm to deflect the blade at the base(which wasn't explicitly legal, but Raion was probably just looking for score) and thrusting her own blade forward as well. Just barely touching Raion's stomach, so as not to damage her.

"Alright, so talk." June joked.

"Excellent shot." Raion chimed in, the fire still in her eyes. "I'll give you that one. But we aren't done yet."

"Oh? Alright, I can go a few more." June replied, a smirk finding her as well.

The fight continued on.

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"

The clash of metal made the cloaked head swivel toward the direction of the burnt woodland she had come to dislike and avoid at all costs, but the sound had booted feet inching closer to its perimeter. Soon all caution was thrown to the wind and she began to make her way through the area, all senses on high alert while her gloved hands slid deep into the pockets of her wool trench coat. It would be unlikely that that crazy purple haired woman would be around to tongue tie her and cause embarrassment once more, even if she was, the shadows of her hood would surely keep the woman from recognizing her.

Thankfully it wasn't this woman that was causing such noises, but the girl she had spared with earlier that winter. Zephyra made her way toward the two figures, eyeing the shorter of the two to take in her ability against her acquaintance. Keeping within the confines of her coat to keep herself anonymous for now, she skirted the spar and took in both stances from afar only her smirk visible under the drooping hood of her long coat. Zephyra finally found a good vantage point and settled on a charred stump after checking to make sure it would hold her weight and crossed her arms.

I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

"Point." Raion stated plainly, removing the blade from where it had pressed into June's side. "We are tied again."

June just laughed and readied her Abyss stance again. But Raion stopped her and gave her a quizzical look.

"I wonder. That stance is designed for hand to hand combat isn't it?"

"Yeah. But I can work a blade with it too."

"Don't." Raion shot at her. "I want your full capability."

"Er... You sure about that?" June had to stop for a minute. This girl was good sure, but... If she attacked bare handed, she could do some serious damage. "I'm actually not sure I can guarantee your safety if I do that." she added.

Raion smirked.

"Then don't guarantee anything."

_____

June set her blade to the side and nodded. "Just, don't get mad if you get hurt alright?"

Her stance readied once more, but this time she began to rhythmically maneuver her fingers as if a cowboy ready to grab her revolver. Her limp arm was deceptive but it wasn't unbeatable. At once, the battle went from a fair fight to an unbalanced mess. Raion made a lunge forward, which June sidestepped and spun into. From that spin her limp arm wrapped around the girl with her strong arm in a fist at her spine, just above her lower back.

"Point." June joked, releasing Raion.

Another pause before they began again. This time June blocked the incoming blade by stepping just off the course, and raising her leg straight above her head effectively kicking the blade upward before dropping her leg back down on Raion's boot. From there, she prepped an open palmed attack at her ribs, and held back to just the point where she could tap the girl.

"Point."

"Again." Raion demanded, relentless in her endeavors.

Raion was cautious this time, making sure to give special attention to her strikes. She decided to feign once before striking this time, but it appeared June had expected this. She stepped inward and to the side of the feign, so that when the lunge really came out she grabbed Raion's wrist and pulled her forward, making her lose balance and fall forward. June was careful enough to make sure she fell in a way that the blade wouldn't harm her opponent. She then knelt down beside her, and smiled.

"Point."

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"

At first the sound of clapping was a soft steady beat that grew barely before falling away completely. A golf spectators clap, was the closest that could come to mind. The redhead had thought of keeping herself outside of the line of sight, but that was a wonderful display, she couldn't resist a pleasant applauding of both.

She then crossed her long legs, letting one foot bob slightly while her hands clasped on her lap and she settled back into silence to watch the match unfold before her. Finally she had caught sight of this famous girl. The challenger that had been firing off matchups all over the school. And against her own sparring partner no less. This would truly be interesting. Sure, she hadn't received a challenge yet, but she didn't advertise her achievements all over the school either, opting for a far more laid back introduction into her new home. The Gael pushed back her hood for a better view as the new spring wind tried to cover her view with the fabric. Of course, she would have none of that. She wished to see every moment of this spectacular event and was a bit sore that she had missed the start.

I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

Sounds from the sidelines. Clapping. Raion has apparently lost in front of someone. The normal opponent would feel embarrassed. Maybe even annoyed. Raion only felt motivated.

"Friend of yours? " she asked June, getting to her feet.

June seemed to contemplate the thought for a moment before nodding, a smile on her face. It was then that she waved to Zephyra, and Raion did so as well.

"I didn't expect an audience out here, but I don't mind." Raion shook her head. "Again."

_____

Raion has managed to score again, but only just. June had done another kick to deflect the blow, but Raion had a better grip for how to react now than before. She allowed her momentum to continue, tracing the blade around and back up. It seemed that it had caught her leg however, which caused June to pause immediately. Yes, there was a tear in her legging. One that happened to reveal a certain scar she had been hoping to hide. What looked like one large gash was actually three slightly smaller ones that were close together. It also looked as though it had not healed properly, but she moved just fine. It was probably just a trick of the eye.

"A-a... " June took a moment to grasp the situation before she sighed." No point now. Whatever. " she said, accepting her unfortunate fate.

" What's wrong? " Raion offered.

" Nothing. What's our score right now? "

" Four to two. Your favor. Quite the opponent indeed. "

" Not too bad yourself, kid. "June laughed a little. "You wanna call it?"

Raion bowed and nodded, then let her opponent on the back and beckoned the observer to come join them. If they were a friend of June's, they were more than welcome to talk.

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"

It was an excellent choice to turn down the unknown path to view this crossing of wits. After returning the waves to her friend and opponent, Zephyra leaned forward and set her elbows on her knees so she could prop her chin in her open palm. Her eyes followed every movement of the sword, hand and foot, trying to catch any instant where a blow could have been blocked or parried.

A delightful way to spend a bit of her downtime, but alas they seemed to have called it for the moment. At the beckoning, the tall redhead stood and brushed off her jacket before making her way over to the two combatants. She gently clapped June on the shoulder and grinned.

"I could have watched for hours. Very interesting." The Gael bobbed her head in a bow toward Raion and tapped the toe of her boot against the packed earth. "What brought you all the way out here to do it though?" She wasn't much of one to talk, having been wandering the campus again, far from her home turf, but it was out here that something interesting always seemed to happen.

I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

This time it was Raion who spoke up directly, with a bit of a growl. She was clearly still fired up, but it was simmering.

"I challenged her after hearing that she was skilled." a smirk found her as she turned to June. "And I'm glad the rumors didn't disappoint. I've never seen someone bold enough to block a sword with their foot, let alone use the same motion to lock their opponent in place." she allowed herself to cross her arms, but it wasn't in anger. "What's your secret?"

June just returned her gaze with the same fire and shrugged.

"When you fight your whole life, it just comes to you."

"That's only half of it." Raion retorted. "Your stance was... Wild. Like an animal. It seemed ridiculous at first but it worked far more effectively than I thought."

"I don't really know how to explain it." June shook her head. "I mixed together three styles and found a stance that allowed me good range between all three, then modified it into my own thing."

She seemed to have forgotten all about the reveal of her scars, but thankfully the two girls present didn't notice or didn't bring it up either. She had to allow herself a contented sigh for that, and then the two of them turned back to Zephyra.

"So, how much did you catch?" asked June.

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"

Zephyra lifted her hand to cover a chuckle as her gaze moved to June. "That rumor still hasn't died down yet? My, my. These girls really do like the daring types." The tall girl squatted down and lifted the rapier June had set aside right after she had arrived. Her fingers trailed delicately over the handle before taking it in a loose grip. She stood and gave a flick of her wrist to send the sword up into the air where she could catch the tip of the blade between her fingers and thumb, with the pommel toward June.

"I arrived just before you discarded this. Taking on a fencer barehanded again. Sometimes I wonder if you're trying to impress or just crazy, my friend." The redhead grinned and straightened her coat over her shoulders to make sure that the Epee at her side was still covered from prying eyes.

"Though when one fights like demons themselves are ready to tear her limb from limb she has little to fear from us mere mortals." A light, playful punch was given to June's shoulder and another grin showed a line of white teeth.

I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

That was true. All of it, actually. Yes, she was crazy. yes, she was trying to impress her opponent. Yes, she could probably tear most people apart with her bare hands. The two before her were no ordinary people though. They were warriors.

"A little of all of it I guess." she admitted. "But I am better without a weapon than with one, and she asked for the best I could give."

"I'd like it again someday too." Raion interjected. "The thrill of the competition is the battle itself, not the victory or the defeat. I want to feel the thrill of fighting a demon like you again."

"You got it." she nodded. "And same to you Zeph. Hell, I'll take on any challenger. Haven't felt this alive in years."

There was a moment between the two previous fighters that could be described as connection. Raion saw the flare in June's eye, and it was returned. There was nearly visible sparks between them, but neither felt any hostility toward the other. One, a proud and determined lion, and the other a wild lone wolf. Quite the pair. But there was also another among them. A mysterious and skilled opponent that had bested June once before, and could probably do so again. She reminded June of someone. Some kind of lingering familiarity that she couldn't piece together. Oh well.

"The way I see it, the three most deadly people on all of campus are right here." June spoke up. "Kind of fitting that we're all from different schools."

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"

Zeph gave a nod in June's directon, but her gaze was locked on Raion, as if sizing her up. Mostly it was just the tactician in her picking what category of fencer she would place the girl in. Headstrong, yet humble and ambitious. A hand went to her hip and her eyes narrowed, such a broad spectrum of things made it hard to clearly define the path this girl walked. Alas, she was pulled from her musings by June announcement.

"You know I plan to take you up on that fairly soon. I can't leave it at one little bout where you didn't even strike at me." The leopardess offered a wicked grin then fell back into silence as she contemplated her next words carefully. Finally she turned a hungry gaze on Raion.

"And I would enjoy testing my skills against you as well, if you can keep up with June you are skilled indeed. So how about we cross swords sometime?"

The redhead smirked and glanced over to June, head tilting to the side. "You think so? I bet a few upperclassmen would deny it, but I bet we could give them a run for their money. It's probably best that we are all from different schools. Too much amazing talent in one place is liable to tip the scales."

I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

"Next time, I'll fight back." she warned with what could only be called her first real sarcasm in a while. Too long, since her last friend. This felt good. Raion seemed to agree, as she shared the same expression - fiery and confident with a hint of sarcasm.

"I take on any challenge." Raion growled out. "Especially from someone on her level."

"There's no way we won't fight again." said June. "All of us. I'm graduating next year, but not before giving you two a workout you'll never forget."

And once she graduated, June would return home to Russia with little to remember this place by. These two girls, Anzu, Hell, Asami even left somewhat of an impression on her. She would be glad to be rid of her filthy, cretin of a cousin for good too. The fact that she was attending the same school that her cousin was now in charge of -- the thought made her cringe internally.

Raion still had many years left to attend however, and she would be married off to her childhood friend against her will upon that day. After that, she would probably live a life of extremes, pushing herself further and further until there was nothing left to push. She had no exceptional plans for her life, but she knew that she would always strive to be better.

"So." June cut into both of their thoughts. "Are either of you staying in country to go to college?"

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"

"Wonderful. I'll give you my info so we can set up a time to meet up. You can pick the place, I'm not impartial to anywhere." The Gael's happy lit gave her quite the distinction from Raion's growl, but it still held the fire within it that told she was truly looking forward to their matchup.

"You're the one growing old, June. Are you sure we aren't the ones going to give you the workout?" The redhead lifted an eyebrow at the whitette in a cocky manner but couldn't keep the lopsided grin off her lips as she fell into a comfortable swagger. Most of her weight on one leg, her hip pressed out to the side and one shoulder lifted in a half shrug.

The next question put her a little off kilter and her facial expression went completely blank. Going back home was not the plans she wished were laid out before her, but her father had her life basically on a year by year schedule that went up until the day she would pass on. The only revealing of her unhappiness was a slight twitch of her upper lip that would have turned into a sneer if she hadn't controlled it back into submission.

"High probability that I will be returning to Ireland to finish out my studies if I don't have to take over my father's business before that. I would much rather stay here. What about you?"

I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

"Ah... Ahaha... Yeah..." June nervously laughed and had no rebuttal for the younger girls. It appeared as though she had forgotten that she was vulnerable right now, which was fine because none of them had noticed. Yes, this was perfect. Time to make new conversation!

That was the question wasn't it? Surely both of the others had something planned, right?

"Ah... I'm not sure." June spoke up first. "I'll be returning to Russia, but beyond that? It's never been something I thought about. My disgusting cousin stayed here, so I'd prefer not to, but other than that I've little planned." she mused on an idea for a moment, and decided it might as well be voiced for lack of any other ideas. "Maybe I'll go with my house Master to Africa. See the world. Live off a bunch of wild dreams and random chases."

Raion perked up at that.

"That sounds fun." she threw in. "Both, actually. I'll probably be-- Er, I'll likely return to Vincenness college when I can, and from there, maybe I'll go professional with Tennis."

June nodded to that idea, and then Raion seemed distant for the moment. It wasn't for long enough to draw attention to though. Personal musings were always that way. June herself was in great spirits, better than ever in fact. She decided this trio had to meet up more often.

"Say, why don't we all hang out as our own club?" she gestured with her hand toward the sky, her other on her breast as if this were some kind of play. "The grandest warriors on the Hill!"

Raion growled a bit under her breath, in pseudo-agreement.

"I'm not opposed to the idea." she stated. "But do you have to make a show of it? it's just us out here."

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"

Zeph's gaze traveled toward the ground as she started to slip into her own musings of running away from home and seeing the world. Maybe she could get Asami to tag along. Her lower lip was quickly taken between her teeth to keep her bark of laughter locked inside at that idea. But before that was really even needed her laughter died out completely. Instead of finding the ground, Zephyra had trailed her gaze down her friend's side and caught an unlikely view. What was this? Her eyebrows furrowed under her choppy bangs, but she kept her lips shut. That wasn't something you blurted out. Better to ask when they were alone.

Her crimson gaze swung back up to the whitette's face and her ridiculous pose. ".. Thank God that no one else is out here. I would have to act like I didn't know her and walk away."

The Gael's lips twitched back up into a smile as she caught Raion's eye. "But I'm not opposed to the thought either. We can make up lists of our top competition and take them out one by one while gaining strength by pushing each other."

The words were supposed to come off as a joke, but the steadfast stance and fire in her voice made it anything but.

I burn!
Can't hold me now
You got nothing that can stop me
I burn!
Swing all you want
Like a fever I will take you down

R A I O N
╜───────╓

"Hehe." Raion let out a highly uncharacteristic giggle. "It'd be like the Gardiane." she mused.

"Gardiane?" June asked.

"My old school had a private police force trained in many martial arts. We could do that."

"You think we could?" June asked, already welcoming this idea. "We would need a lot of people to be okay with it, and probably need to get permission from pretty much everyone."

"Nothing official yet. Just sleep on the idea."

June nodded, and turned to Zephyra.

"I like the idea of testing the waters, and I definitely like Zephy's suggestion of challenging more people to test ourselves. It could be a good way to get our names out there and show people that we're the best. They'll surely agree to it if we prove that."

Raion couldn't resist jumping in there.

"That's been my plan for studen council all along. This would be like any other day for me if you two are in."

Raion folded her arms and smirked.

"I believe we are the pinnacle, and we should prove it."

╖───────╓
J U N E
This is my class; Top Brass, a bold breed
A caliber conceived, birthed and born to lead
To be the first pick, first string
First in, front line
Screaming into the sky,
"The World is Mine!"