Chess Master's move

Star took notice of Lord Valentine himself coming to greet them, she was a little surprise. The way the Lord carried himself combined with his alluring sexyness made Star soak in approach with pleasure.

She stooded when her father did, and gave the Lord a respectful bow. Star followed silently as they walked along not wanting to interrupt there conversation.

Star paid close attention to the Lord's words as he spoke to her father.

//it's not common for a Fledgeling to have the honor of facing an Ancillae in Fair Combat but under these circumstances I'll allow it //

Star question to herself "why"?
<This truly is not going to be a "fair combat" no matter which way you slice it.... it's a bit absurd,  perhaps this is a test of some sort. >
she thought.

//I wanted to offer your Childe a training session with our Master of Knights, Count Hayworth Tribune and Praetor of Sabbat Affairs. He would teach her our way of dueling, its a complex ritual that should be perform flawlessly. Spoiling the protocol would result in losing Dignitas instead. Would you concord?"

<again with this "Dignitas" thing, this "Vent-rep" really must be very important. If I can preform well and not act like the Sabbat ruffian people think I am.... I might be able to earn some of that "rep"... Cool . >
she thought.

Star gave a respectful nod to her father in agreement, approving of him speaking for her.
She didn't dare to interrupt the two Kindred and she kept respectfully quiet as they talked About the details.

Valentine:
"Sir Hell Song, are you enjoyning your time here?

Brian: everything I might need at hand Lord Valentine. My every need its been taken care of. That's exactly what I don't enjoy about your Chess Club

Star remained of course politely silent, though she tried not to smirk.
<for real??? Jesus dad have you never took a vacation before?... This place is great! If they had a Spa I would be in heaven! Hee-hee>

Valentine:
//intruders doing a Rite of Passage. is that it's proper name? of your Embrace Ritual?"

Brian:
//kidnapping one of your ghouls is not an easy task but a good hunter should have a difficult prey

<What the F*ck is wrong with you gangrel....for real??? Jesus! Freaking weird-ass games you play. And I'm thought of as a hoodlum. No wonder the Gangrel own the police, they go around causing a ruckus heehee >
Star thought laughing a bit on the inside.

Ventrue and Gangrel // to have you both here is just one more step to built a lasting and prosperous alliance between us."

Star smiled at this, she felt that she would be honored to help in anyway for this could become a possibility. Star started to realize that being that she was a Ventrue, and Her father a Gangrel they would indeed be in a perfect position to help cultivate and cement this Alliance,

Star listened to Valentine's words, his voice, tone and mannerisms she found extremely alluring, she had to stop herself from staring at him or risk him taking note of her attraction.

Star followed quietly to the next building and tried dismissing any thoughts of Attraction she had towards the Elder Lord. She cursed herself for even being allowed to hold such fanciful feelings and attractions. Star tried very hard to focus on the task at hand, though she caught herself glancing at the Vampiric Lords ass once or twice as she followed them from behind.
<Ohhh my God! He is sooo damn sexy...♡ Mmmmm  ♡ ohhh My Lord Valentine, I'd bow down and show you just how I'll worship dat'ass. ♡ he can be my King any night!> she thought as she tried to resist the urge to undress Lord Valentine with her eyes.

Finally Star managed to pull her thoughts away from the Vampiric Lord and She greeted Hayworth with a respectful bow. She watched the elders leave.

Hayworth said.
"Tell me anything I should know about you Child of the Hell Song"

▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
"  Count Hayworth, it is a pleasure, thank you for taking time to instruct me in this.

Well to answer your question  Count, I prefer to end confrontations with words before a fight escalates, but I'm no stranger to combat. As far as a fighting styles go , I'm used to fighting defensively  rather than offensively. I prefer to good oldfashon fist fighting rather than swordplay, but I like to think of my self as a fast learner.  "

Star listened very attentively to everything that the Count had to say.  Again this topic of "Dignitas" was being addressed. She thought and listened very seriously about all that was being said.

The analogy of the King's story was not lost on her. She understood its meaning. Indeed due to this "Dignitas" the Ventrue were very different from any other clan she had ever been around.
A good reputation of trust, honor, respect and integrity far surpass any victory but I could ever be obtained, and this "Dignitas" seemed to be that, and so much more. Star seemed fascinated by this concept.

Dueling has everything to do with Dignitas, fight for your principles, for honour, for something greater than yourself and you'll earn Dignitas. Fight for selfish reasons and you'll be deprive it of it."

Star was reminded of Haquim's words in the morgue when she learned that she was a Ventrue.
"" No Pander has known Honour or fought for a cause greater than themselves. Don't compare to such vile defilments of the Blood.
IT'S UNWORTHY OF THY."""

Star had taken the Scourge's words to heart that night, and it only reconfirmed her desire to join the Camarilla, to improve herself and fight for something bigger than herself.

Count:.
"Do you understand?"

Star nodded
▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
" Yes I believe that I do, Count Hayworth. I am starting to understand the concept of "Dignitas", and its importance in the existence of a Ventrue. Indeed if this duel will aid in me earning   Dignitas among the Clan of Kings, then I wish to do so properly.

She said respectfully, giving the Count her full attention
" Please continue Count, you have my full attention.

Star quietly listened as the count explained  "The Grand Salute'" of the art of fencing in a duel.  Indeed Star started to get the impression that this whole thing was basically a small performance put on for those that watched. Winning or Losing truly wasn't important compared to how well one can preform these "Renaissancal rites".

Star didnt let the fact that this was going to be her 1st duel ever, and the fact that she would be performing basic maneuvers due to her lack of knowledge on the subject discourage her. Star took this as of hopeful opportunity to better herself and find a way to shine. She could prove that she could be taught and perhaps earn some Dignitas in the process if she was lucky and performed well enough.

Star gave Count Hayworth a nod and follow the butler to get changed into the appropriate attire for dueling.

After which she would return to the count from play to await further instructions

perception + melee
Star carried out 3 launched of one (Roll.) :

8 , 7 , 6

Star began to practice the movements imitating the Count skills. Although he had many decades ahead of practice he seemed satisfied with her initial performance. Once he noticed she had at least a basic idea of the movements he stopped and started to count in french for each of the twenty movements she had to perform, clapping at a slow pace to let her think between movements.

Star took all of this very seriously, she knew that during the duel all eyes would be on her to gage how well she could preform. As she no doubt thought that Lord Valentine and her father were watching her now.

Star had always been a fast learner, this helped her survive during her Sabbat days. Star was adaptable and had a desire hidden within herself to want to tow-the-line and rise above it so to speak. Being the center of attention with all eyes looking on her never bothered her. In fact it only drove her forward to preform better.

Star followed Count's instructions to the letter,  never giving pause, hesitation or question. She simply tryed to shine and performe to the best of her capabilites

perception + melee
Star carried out 3 launched of one (Roll.) :

5 , 3 , 8

As she got distracted thinking about the future and the surroundings instead of focusing on the difficult task to perform each movement with flawless perfection. Hayworth started to move his arm and Rebecca felt the sting from an invisible wasp on her knees, shoulders, legs and arms, as the count was pointing out her mistakes.

His movement was so fast to the point of being unpredictable and certainly a human would be already bleeding to death in the floor but as a kindred and a Ventrue Rebecca endured, what was impressive was the strength control pinching hard enough to cause pain but not to damage her.

As the "learning strikes" hit her she gritted her teeth, realizing her mistakes. Star was hardly a stranger to pain or being struck in such a way to correct her form or behavior, this was nothing new. While in the Sabbat she would often have been beaten when she didn't performe the combat tactics efficiently enough.

Star quickly righted her mind and tryed to focus.
Star carried out 3 launched of one (Roll.) :

9 , 10 , 9

As the stings stopped in Rebecca's flawless thrusting dance and swift movements the Count's clapping increased the pace and he was also more strict in evaluating her performance. Each second Star learned more and more as her body was getting used to the repeative motions.

Star tryed to focus on nothing but mimicking the Count's rapid movements. As she performed she let tryed to harder to match them and perform them as close to the Count as she could.

Perception + Melee
Star carried out 3 launched of one (Roll.) :

9 , 9 , 4

Star graciously took in the praise from her performance. She bowed to Hayworth, then to Lord Valentine and her Father. She was indeed pleased with herself and the fact that she could see discernible change in her growth and showmen ship.

Let's do an sparring to know each other a little better. I'll give you a tip or two. En garde!"

Star nodded and took the appropriate stance that she had been taught just moments ago.
It was time for her to test herself once more and use what she has learned. Star focused her mind and prepared herself for sparing.

Hayworth did three steps forward each with a different thrust against Rebecca: up, up and mid of her body. Then a step back turning graciously to make a round slash to cover his retreat. This happend very fast giving Rebecca only a chance to defend herself.

Dexterity + Melee + Fencing (each dif 4)

Attack #1:
Malakiel carried out 8 launched of one (Roll.) :

1 , 2 , 7 , 4 , 9 , 6 , 8 , 3

Attack #2:
Malakiel carried out 7 launched of one (Roll.) :

7 , 8 , 10 , 4 , 8 , 6 , 10

Attack #3:
Malakiel carried out 6 launched of one (Roll.) :

2 , 1 , 4 , 1 , 5 , 1

Attack #4:
Malakiel carried out 5 launched of one (Roll.) :

3 , 6 , 10 , 10 , 1

•Fencing Sword•  Cost: 3 / Concealment: LongCoat/ Durability: 1  / Min Str: 1


Defending Attack 1: Combat Maneuver:
Perry: Dex + Melee
Dif: Normal
Damage: None
Star carried out 4 launched of one (Roll.) :

4 , 10 , 2 , 9

Star does her best to defend the oncoming attacks with the knowledge that she has just learned of defensive swordplay.
It was far from a easy task, especially since she's not used to this type of fighting. But she tried to put all the basic Maneuvers she has just learned to the test her skills.

The count precision was flawless as usual, his technique swift and beautiful to watch. His muscle discipline was so perfect that he could use it at will to land a destrutive blow, or not at all. The sparring had began and the Count was clearly making a point, swiftness and technique are not necesarily meant to hurt, a true knight should be able to control it's body and emotions while fighting.

Strength (0) + Potence (0) + Weapon damage (1)
Attack #1: Attack Success (4) - Defense successes (2) -1 for damage = 1 + 1 (weapon damage) = 2
Malakiel carried out 2 launched of one (Roll.) :

9 , 3

Attack #2: Attack success (7)  -1 = 6+1 WD =7
Malakiel carried out 7 launched of one (Roll.) :

7 , 3 , 2 , 1 , 6 , 6 , 7

Attack #3: Attack success (0)  

Attack #4: Attack success (2)  -1 = 1+1 WD = 2
Malakiel carried out 2 launched of one (Roll.) :

3 , 3

The Count first attack touched the upper chest of Star, then he made one step ahead but she was slow to back down and he nailed his fencing sword right in the middle of the chest, backing down the swing caressed her face with the tip of the sword.

Soak roll #1
Stam + Fort
Star carried out 5 launched of one (Roll.) :

10 , 7 , 6 , 10 , 5

Soak roll #2
Stam + Fort
Star carried out 5 launched of one (Roll.) :

3 , 9 , 4 , 10 , 6

Star knew she was too slow to counter him correctly, She felt the blade stab her chest and cross her face with some surprise. She shook her head at the sting, though knew it caused no damage against her hardened frame. She counted herself lucky that her body had become so resilient from all of the beatings that she took from her pack members in attempts to toughen her up.

Star of course didn't take anything personal, this was training, pain and irritation were part of it.

She knew she lost the duel, but winning was not the point. It was about learning.

Star made a bow towards her opponent significant her respectful defeat.