In a small, secluded clearing, there is a single, tall stump, high above the ground, at least thirty-six feet above the ground. On its flat top, a Skull Kid stands, a skull mask covering his face. He looks around, hearing the sound of a twig snapping, as if someone nears him.

He lifts his flute to his mask, and begins to play, doing the familiar "Jig of the Skull Kid". While one might think he is simply doing it because he has an audiance, he is actually trying to determine if this intruder is an adult, or a child.

OOC: This is my first try at what this might be. If I do anything wrong, just tell me.

Rose loved the forest. It was a peaceful place. Not to mention that the shade of the trees often lessened the sun's heat in the summer. And the forest always seemed to be full of surprises. For example, she stumbled across a clearing she had never been in before.

She whistled at the size of the stump. She wasn't used to seeing them that large before. And then the ranger noticed a creature on the stump. It looked childish, but it was hard to tell. After all, she had met short adults before. But either way, the masked individual on the stump played the flute well.

Rose found herself leaning against a tree, tapping along to the song. Not wishing to interrupt, she thought, I should see if he'll teach me this song. Well, I think it's a he. Maybe if it wasn't wearing that mask, I could tell for sure.

The Skull Kid stopped. Slowly moving the flute from his mask to his side, he stared at the adult, his yellow eyes glowing behind the mask. Known fact: Skull Kids hated adults. Why? No one knew. Maybe it was because they were once children, left behind by stupid, idiotic parents, not even noticing their child left them, or worse: They left them in the woods on purpose. No one cared for the children, except for the girl in green.

But, she wasn't here now. She had left this one. The only green he saw was the tunics of travelers, or the leaves. She told the other children to stay away from the others, to stay near the temple, but, to him, she wasn't there, so her rules didn't apply.

Lifting his mask, only slightly, so that his voice could pass through, he asked a question of this adult. To most, it was a simple invitation; to a Skull Kid, it was a call to death.

"Want to play a game?"

The music stopped playing. Aw, she thought. Well, at least I can ask him to teach me that song now. But then he had lifted his mask slightly and asked her if she would like to play a game. Well, today is just full of surprises.

"Well, I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere," the human replied, smiling. "What game do you want to play?" For less than a second, she felt that something was wrong, but this masked figure was obviously only a child. Children were not hateful creatures. Undoubtedly, she would be forced to remember her own childhood soon.

The Skull Kid smiled, or at least, it would have, had it any lips to smile with. Lowering the mask, he brought the flute to his mask again, but, this time it was much different.

The horrible note echoed around them, driving not only the birds from the trees, but the faeries as well. Deku Scrubs, both Mad and normal, uprooted themselves, just to get away. As the note ended, the mind-numbing din having subsided, the child looked at the adult.

STATS
STR: 2
DEF: 1
AGI: 7
INT: 3
SPI: 4
HP: 34
SPL: 12
Weapon: Flute Dagger

"Time to play!"

It said, jumping down from the stump, only to run over at slice at Rose. (9(roll)+7<16+5) He missed, but was close to his target, allowing the adult to hit him, should her conscience warrant it.

The note grated on Rose's ear. That and the child's attempt to slice her open shocked her. What in the goddesses' name is going on?! the human managed to think. What wrong have I done to this boy? But everyone's favorite ranger did not have time to dwell on the matter. If she didn't react soon, she would find herself gutted. Not a very pleasant thought for the woman of Tarm.

The sound of a sword and knife coming out of their sheath can be heard. In the same movement, the ranger brought her weapons to bear upon the Skull Kid [Dual Wield L1; DMG will be 12].

The Skull Kid looked up, and thought to himself as he saw the blades, She. . .she wants to play? No one ever wanted to before. . . he half-grinned as he thought. (1(roll)+5<1+7) He was able to dodge it, but was it only luck? He jumped back for a moment, taking the flute to his mask, and began to play. It was music that had the strength and power of the Goddess, Din, within it. [[Play: Call of Din LV2]] And with the last note, the child glowed with red, the color soon disappearing. He looked at the woman, and waited for her next move, so he could plan his.

Rose: HP 62, SPL 20
Cojiro: HP 39, SPL 7, STR 7

Agile little thing, Rose thought, slightly annoyed. And then the Skull Kid played another song, briefly glowing red at the end of it. A song that can empower you? Well, that's new to me. But I don't want to see just how strong this imp got. She slashed her sword and knife diagonally in her attempt to strike down the child that had tried to kill her [Dual Wield L1].

Seeing the woman's blades slice towards him, Cojiro waited. He might be able to dodge them. (9+5>1+7 DMG 12) He didn't. As the blades hit him, he staggered back, his back to the stump. She wants to play, and is good! he thought, as a twinkle of happiness shone in his eyes. Tightly clenching his flute, he dashed at the adult again, this time with less hatred than the first. (15+7>21 DMG 12) This time, though, his flute hit, but he was right next to the woman again. She looked somewhat familiar, if it wasn't for the hair, she'd look just like...No...

Rose: HP 50 SPL 20
Cojiro: HP 27 SPL 7

Rose only allowed a small grunt of pain escape her lips. If only I still had my armor from my army days, she thought. But I would have to get used to the weight again. Oh well. Nothing left to do but hack and slash, as Blank would put it. And hack and slash she does. The ranger skillfully spun her knife around and hacked with it, followed by a horizontal slash from her sword of Goron make [Dual Wield L1].

(16+5>1+7 DMG 12) Rose's two blades hit Cojiro, as he staggers back once again, now very hurt. He could take another hit, but it was best not to. With a gleam in his eyes still, he looks at Rose, and for a second, she could've seen the eyes of a human child, but they were gone now. They had left a long, long time ago, lost as the woods this child longed for. Clenching the flute-dagger once again, he dashes at the woman, ready to hit. (8+5<21) But his blade doesn't make the cut.

Rose: HP 50 SPL 20
Cojiro: HP 15 SPL 7

Still unaware that she was reminding the Skull Kid of someone, Rose once again went on the offensive after the child's feeble attack [Dual Wield L1]. Was the hit from before a lucky strike or actual skill? Rose did not know. Her only thought was to subdue the person behind the mask. She could ask questions later.

(6+5>1+7) The attack hit, leaving Cojiro near death. She is good, but I will fight hard, like her! he thought, the twinkle in his eyes brighter. Bringing the flute to his lips, he played, this time a song that brought restoration to his damaged body. [[Sonata of Restoration LV3]] As it finished, he was healed, but still not out of it yet. He readied his blade, waiting for the woman's move. (Dodge Check)

Rose: HP 50 SPL 20
Cojiro: HP 18 SPL 2

OOC: Hmm, dodge check. I'm not too sure about these. I know INT and AGI is added to the roll, but I don't know what you roll against. I know most checks have a DC of 15, but perhaps the your dodge check should have to beat my attack roll. That sounds fair.

IC:
The ranger tried not to let the knowledge of another successful attack go to her head. Cockiness would not help her win this fight. And whatever song it just played probably isn't good for me, Rose thought. I need to find a bard that isn't going to kill me to teach me these songs some day. But for now, the human lunged forward, attempting to finish this fight [Dual Wield L1].

OOC: Let's forget the dodge check, okay?

(16+5>1+7) The attack hits, and the Skull Kis is knocked back again, If it wasn't for the song, he would've died this time around. Holding his dagger for a final time, he dashed at the woman, this time trying for a final hit. (18+7>21) It hits, and he smiles, knowing that he may lose with the adult's next move.