A couple more attempts at getting past Ri'vashi's defence with just his sword proved futile for Gallus. He actually paused for a grin and a small laugh at the awkwardness of it all.

Eventually, Gallus thought of one thing he could try to end the cat-and-mouse game that the bout had become. He didn't hesitate to try, for if anything was going to work, it was this. He advanced and slashed high to draw Ri'vashi's shield arm up. And then with the bottom of the shield's rim on front of him he attempted to step forward with rear foot and grab at it. He did not try to pull it away or twist it. Instead he simply held it in place while he stepped forward again and brought his sword around to cut at Ri'vashi's middle. He did not have the strength to keep the shield still for long but the blow would be decisive if he could land it.

[hr]
It was a few moments before Tzirret could make sense of the scene before him. La'khay's words seemed to tie it up and his brow went up in realisation. At this point he didn't even process the possible embarrassment from La'khay's compliment of himself and Ma'tanza.

Tzirret raised a hand to La'khay, "Oh, that is fine. We...Tzirret did not expect to see this, to be honest." Tzirret turned to Peiter and Sabine, "Um, we were going to spend time, maybe go for a swim or find something new to do, but..." Tzirret tightened his mouth as if he had interrupted something more special. "If you are busy, it is no matter."

"Actually," Sabine began to speak, addressing La'khay first, "Do you mind if we take a break, La'khay?" Sabine's eyes went down to Peiter's legs and back up. "We have been sitting for a while."

While Sabine spoke, Tzirret leaned around curiously to see the painting in progress. He had not yet looked closely enough to notice Peiter's groomed form.