<div class="floatleft">(http://i68.tinypic.com/2hx8301.jpg)</div><br/>What a strange dream that had been.<br/><br/>Annette tried to shake it off as she stood on the dais, in full view of the watching multitudes.  It would not do for them to see her display weakness.  As so she stood, straight and tall, her heeled feet pressed together, hands resting on the curves of her hips, a confident smile forced onto her lips.  Her sword was still in its sheathe, resting just below her left hand.<br/><br/>She'd taken extra effort that morning to make sure everything was perfectly in place.  She's brought no servant, but she was used to looking after her own gear, anyway.  She was protected by a leather jerkin over a white blouse, leaving her arms unarmored, but also unhindered.  The jerkin was dyed a bright turquoise, in her family's color, and was fit to her form, tight around her narrow waist, and cupping and supporting her generous breasts, although she was youthful enough not to require it.  It ended just above her breasts, the blouse covering her upper chest, the better to keep her cool, and where her sternum was solid enough to prevent any thrust that wouldn't go through leather, anyway.  Both were laced in the front, although the folds of the jerkin were tight enough that the individual laces couldn't be seen.<br/><br/>Her legs were protected by leather leggings, also tight, displaying just how toned years of fencing practice had made her legs and her rounded backside.  The ties on them run down the sides of her legs, wide enough to show a bit of the pale flesh underneath.  On her feet are small boots, the heels on them elevated a few inches, a small concession to her vanity; she left them loose enough that she could kick them off if needed.<br/><br/>She saw Radek, but paid him no attention.<br/><br/>And then her opponent was there.  Annette frowned briefly at the strange shimmering atop the pillars, but she paid them no mind.  Her focus was on her opponent.  As he saluted, she drew her sword, raising it to her forehead in a salute of her own, remaining in that pose as he continued to climb.<br/><br/>And then, just as he reached the top, as Darius said begin, Annette lunged, her athletic body easily extending to its full length, stretching out.  "Hah!"  She called as she struck.  It was not the most precise strike she'd ever made, but it was forceful, the point of her rapier hitting solidly enough to cause discomfort through the armor.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">Using opening strike<br/>Attack = 15 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=103348)<br/>Damage = 21 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=103349)<br/>+4 to AC and ref until EONT</div></div>