Nice to Beat You: Spencer vs Daniel by Solfei

Spencer Lockhart's chest heaved as every cell in his body burned with pain and adrenaline.  He inspected his body as he sat on his corner stool, taking in the red scattered over his pale torso, much of it already blossoming a dull purple.  His eyes flicked to the opposite corner where Daniel Halifax, his opponent sat.  Just looking at the monk's gloves made Spencer's welts and bruises ache.

A simple hello in the gym was all it took.

An exchanging of pleasantries between two young fighters led to what both initially described as some light sparring.  Spencer had even dubbed the match a "Getting-to-know-you-fight".  The first of their seven rounds had begun pleasantly enough.  The young heir learned quickly that landing a blow on Daniel would be no easy feat.  The monk's guard was a wall.  If Daniel's focus was simply on blocking or parrying, there was no way to hit him.

Gambles had to be taken.  By the second round Spencer had learned that hitting Daniel was like trying to perform oral surgery on a crocodile.  You had to get close enough for him to attack to find your opening.  Thus the two found themselves in an odd dance, both countering one another back and forth.  The more they learned each other's rhythm, the more gloves that found their targets.

Despite the challenge Daniel presented, and the frustrating hindrances he placed on Spencer's aggression, Spencer couldn't help but like the other boy.  While his technique and endurance spoke of his experience, he didn't appear to look down on Spencer.  He looked fierce, certainly having the glare one regards a rival with, but there was no condescending in his gaze.  Daniel was taking Spencer seriously.

As two more rounds passed, Spencer found himself in a frustrating and thrilling situation.  He had managed to start landing some painful blows on the monk, but most, if not all, met with blows of Daniel's.  Something dynamic then occurred between the two fighters, and despite Spencer's refined upbringing and Daniel's strict discipline the two found themselves slugging out out.  

They went punch for punch with each other like brawlers, indistinguishable from pub brawlers were it not for the gear they sported.  Spencer would punch Daniel, but the satisfaction would quickly be erased by Daniel's returning blow.  Back and forth gloves flew between the two warriors.

In the moment, Spencer was surprised that the peaceful monk, who lived without Spencer's training resources, was fighting as hard and furiously as he was.

Daniel certainly hadn't expected the slightly pompous rich boy to still be standing, let alone be continuing to savagely trade leather with himself.

As the remaining seconds of the round ticked down, the two growled and grunted amidst the flurry of gloved fists.  All thought of defense was thrown to the side as they hammered away at one another like duelling battering rams.  Seeing they had moments to spare, both switched up their rhythm, determined to get the last strike before the bell.  Then it happened.

BAM!!!

The two gloves soared past one another to their fleshy targets.  Each felt a bomb detonate in their heads as their foe connected a haymaker to their cheek.  As the bell rang the two stared daggers at one another, as the pain burned through their faces.   Both intended to win this fight, and both were ready to hurt the other to do it.

 They headed to their corners, and Spencer felt exhaustion pulling at him.  He had finally managed to really put some hurt on Daniel, but at what cost?  They had established what would become the rhythm of this fight, and it was anyone's guess who would still be standing when the fists stopped flying.

Spencer was determined to win, but he knew it was going to hurt a lot to do it.

Daniel Halifax is owned by alveus 
Spencer Lockhart is owned by me
Art done by the superbly talented Solfei 

I am so pleased with this shot.  Alveus was the person I asked on how to start creating my character, and Daniel issued his challenged from the first post I ever had of Spencer.  It was a fantastic RP that spanned a really enjoyable few weeks.  Check out his gallery for the follow up shot!  Will be linking to it here:
www.deviantart.com/art/Daniel-…

Alveus introduced me to Solfei's gallery and I am so happy to have a piece for myself now.  So talented and so accommodating.  I would happily recommend Solfei to anyone looking to bring their characters to life. 

Final note- I know people don't box in glasses.  I always put in my commission requests that he doesn't wear them for fighting, but I guess most people think it makes him unique and I agree.  Not criticizing the choice to include them at all, just putting it out there that I know.