Training to Kill

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 1:14 PM

TIME REWIND TO AFTER THE TOURNAMENT After sparring with Farran Tarsien was still testing the weight on his new weapon, it would be useful to say the least yet he suspected others could use it better. That aside he was at the training grounds, practicing weapon swings and combat techniques with his new prize in one hand and his shield in the other.

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 1:57 PM

"You have my deepest gratitude, Mister. Farewell!" Persephone gave the stranger a parting curtsy and took trepiidatious steps over to the field. There he was, with his imposing stature, silver hair, and - most memorably - the sword of the tournament's victor. She took a minute to compose herself, silently watching his swings, before approaching the mysterious swordsman. An iron saber was sheathed at her side, and her elegant black attire was only a little out of place for the training grounds.(edited)

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 2:02 PM

The new arrival had cought Tarsien's attention a bit, he watched her approach with one eye for a second before resuming his focus on the dummy in front of him. She didn't seem to be dressed for combat and her weapon was sheathed, clearly a swordswoman. A mental note was made of this as she approached, he swore he had seen this woman at the tournament but wasn't sure nevertheless he thought nothing special about her arrival and continued training.

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 2:48 PM

The noble girl gulped quietly as she caught his eye. Moving a little closer, she saw quite a few scars and cuts over his body - marks of a true master. Feeling her breathing pick up, Persephone hurried ahead, stopping abruptly beside him and the dummy. She folded her hands together, keeping them steady over her chest, and her violet eyes looked up to the man with a sparkle of admiration. "Pardon my interruption, sir, but your technique is...quite stunning. It's as clear as the Sacred Lake, that your conquest in the tournament was no fluke."

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 2:56 PM

That was a bit of a surprise to say the least, Tarsien halted his training and looked at the woman when she spoke to him as a mercenary he was used to thanks and praise from villagers or his contractors, he wasn't used to it without a clear reason in his eyes, "Thank you." He calmly said, keeping his cool for now, there was something odd about the way she looked at him but he couldn't quite place it.

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 3:05 PM

Her heel lifted, but she stopped herself, twisting her toes in the dirt for a moment before settling it back to the ground once more. "Your name escapes me, I'm afraid; Barentia is still so new. I am Persephone de Cawdor, accompanying His Highness of Floribar." She hoped he hadn't actually seen her shameful display in the arena, but perhaps the mention of her capable companions would give a better impression.(edited)

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 3:14 PM

"Tarien Ralenov, I recently joined Prince Finn myself." He introduced himself with a polite bow. "I presume we will be fighting together." He says, curious to see his companions fight.

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 3:21 PM

Startled, she gave a bow of her own. "Indeed. We've certainly seen a great deal of combat already...but nothing compared to the trials you must have faced, Sir Ralenov. I'm glad to hear that we'll have your protection, whatever may come." Trying to take her mind off of the battles, and the still-stinging pain of her wounds, Persephone gives the man a slight smile.(edited)

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 3:25 PM

"Thank you, but do not count on it. One never knows what can happen on a battlefield." He notes, noting her being startled. "So, I presume you did not simply come here to congratulate me on my victory in the arena." He says, presuming that the woman wouldn't exactly get to the point at this eate with her nervousness.

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 3:33 PM

"Oh heavens, no!" She gave her head a light shake, having realized just how much of his time she'd taken by now. "I couldn't help but see that you're quite experienced. Forgive my impudence, but for the sake of my liege I must ask:" Her expression turned stone cold, but her complexion brightened with shame and admiration at the veteran. "Tarsien Ralenov...would you teach me how to kill?"

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 3:39 PM

Tarsien paused for a moment. "Very well." He answered. "While I do not like the idea of training one how to kill, war is still war and killing is a necessity." he answers. "I presume you know how to handle the blade around your waist. If not I will also assist in training you with that." the mercenary spoke up. "What do you prefer, one handed, dual handing or a shield?"

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 3:47 PM

"O-one handed saber, sir. Mounted and otherwise. But I've been dabbling in two-handed Celanthian, just a little..." She'd been ready for a rejection, or some other inquiry. His immediate acceptance was perhaps more of a shock to her than an outright refusal. Was this how he addressed every warrior? Persephone's gaze turned downward, towards the hilt of her brother's blade. "I've practiced my technique for all my life, but..On the battlefield it's naught but a burden, sir."

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 3:50 PM

"Then you must adapt your style to fit the battlefield. You are experienced in one style in combat, that is not something you should toss aside." He said, steppign aside from the dummy. "Could you perhaps show me this style of combat."

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 3:58 PM

"Of course!" She turned eagerly to the dummy, hesitated a moment, then brought her sword whipping up to the side of her head in a stance much less foreign than he might have expected. Her eyes peeked back at him once more from around her pomegranate-tinted hair, and she stepped into range. "Shall I?"

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 4:00 PM

"Go for it." Tarsien said, watching from the sideline as she prepared and ready to mentally note any openings in her fighting style should they apply.

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Wednesday at 4:05 PM

And at once, her blade instantly lashed down across the dummy's neck, quickly, lightly, directly. A faint gasp marked a transition to defense as she continued, letting her blade dance delicately across the dummy's vital areas in a matter of moments. After parrying another invisible counterattack, she continued once more from a new angle. The girl's demonstration, growing only more fluid and flowery as she relaxed, was doubtlessly that of a noble - not a soldier.(edited)

MKRetunz-Last Wednesday at 4:22 PM

Tarsien noted her movements. Clearly a noble's fighting style be it a bit adjusted in some points. More about looking fancy in in house toruneys then dispatching your foe. After a few more moments of demonstation he spoke up. "Your hits are light, excellent for dancing around opponents but otherwise next to harmless." He informed her, taking a step closer. "You clearly know where to hit but no power is put behind it. Perhaps you should try a firmer grip on your blade, turn the speed your hand has into power." He suggests.

November 24, 2016

Kwakado | Traitor-Last Thursday at 11:22 PM

"O-oh...I see, sorry!" Persephone retreated at once, and turned the weapon over in her hand. Had she really been hitting so lightly? Compared to the massive blade she'd picked up, these swings had indeed felt effortless...but so it was on the bridge, when she'd torn a boy's throat open... Setting aside such anxieties, the girl brought her fingers further over the hilt, squeezing fiercely as she came up to the master. It hurt, only a little, but her hand didn't feel quite so harmless now. "...Is this acceptable?" She brought up her blade in a formal salute, turning her tight grip outwards for him to see.(edited)

November 25, 2016

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 4:26 AM

He inspected her grip for a moment. "You seem to be straining yourself, do not strain youself too much." He warned her "If you do it might result in a bruise." Taking a step back. "Try fighting with this grip against the dummy, see for yourself if this helps or not."

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 4:53 AM

"Yes. Thank you!" With a cheery smile, Persephone whirled back toward her faux foe, steeling herself. Here, she would prove - starting with this stranger - that she was strong enough for her groom-general. "If dummies could bruise, I assure you - I'd make a rainbow of it." The girl all but leaped up to the dummy, hammering her saber into its shoulder. Her form remained fluid, and though each blow rattled her white-knuckled hand, Persephone endured it with grace, masking the pain as best she could with repetition after repetition. One-two-three-four-five, One-two-three-four-five, One-two-three-four-five, One-two-three-four--- Persephone gasped, as her final stroke had just soared up into the dummy's neck. He grip gave out, sending her hand well past its target, and the sword fell to the ground. A look of shock and disgust faded quickly into a gentle, blank expression as she straightened up and turned to Tarsien. "A moment, please..." And she knelt down to retrieve her weapon, holding the hilt gingerly. It felt so ugly. Almost like her hand was wet with his blood.(edited)

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 4:59 AM

While he was certainly paying attention he didn't seem to notice the girl hiding her pain as he simply watched, it was clear to him that her style was refined, there were few openings that could be detrimental, a good thing. Then the clutter of steel hitting the ground filled the air. Tarsien raised an eyebrow, Why did she release the blade all of the sudden and what was that look? he thought to himself as the woman retrieved her sword. "Is something wrong?" Tarsien asked a second later, it was clear something was to say the least, but he wouldn't force an answer out of someone he had just met.

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 5:09 AM

Persephone took a deep breath. "I can't say for sure. Perhaps I'm not used to this grip yet..." She stood, exhaling just as deep to keep from panting. "..something felt wrong."

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 5:11 AM

"Strange." Tarsien noted, "As for yout actual strikes themselves they seem to be improved quite a lot, I suggest you train and try to find out... whatever that was." the mercenary simply said. "That should solve your issues."

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 5:36 AM

"Your advice is..frightening in its power, sir Ralenov. I'll be sure to turn that terror on our foes." The girl twirled her sword downward, sheathing it at once. "...and yet, if I may...?" She looked up once more to his mostly unscarred face. "Do you still find joy, in battle? Or has it lost its splendor in your heart.."

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 5:39 AM

The mercenary frowned for a moment. "I have lost my joy for battle long ago after... Certain circomestances, it is however what I have left and it is neccesary." He explains, hoping to satisfy the girl's question.

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 6:10 AM

"I see." She looked away, then returned. "..I still haven't even found it in the first place. How to rejoice in the death of the week...to savor the taste of their blood, on your hands." Persephone held her hurt sword hand. "...I don't really know how to kill, yet."

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 6:13 AM

"Don't fret on not enjoying death, that is for the better." Tarsien said, "If you were looking forward to killing every day you would be a monster, as would everyone. As I said earlier, I do not like the idea of teaching someone how to kill, but it is required now and as such I will, for your sake I hope you never have to teach someone the same."

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 6:18 AM

"Oh, heavens no..." An anxious smile bloomed. He learned how long ago. "But thank you for understanding. It is required, if I'm to be even half the boon that you are to our cause."

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 6:22 AM

"While I admire the praise I feel you overestimate me." Tarsien said with a smile. "In the end I am but single man and any man can do the same as I have done I simply have the experience to have done it." He continues, pausing for a few seconds afterwards "As for you, with that grip you should be set for now at least."

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 6:28 AM

"You have my deepest gratitude, sir Ralenov." The humble hero's words stunned her, like something out of a story, and she brought a hand to her heart. "I swear, by the Vengeful Spirit...I'll prove the truth of your teaching." She bowed her head, half out of reverence to Rhesus and half out of respect for to the living legend before her.(edited)

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 6:44 AM

Tarsien seemed a bit shaken "It is not every day you hear an alias for the god of war in the service of a man hailing from Floribar." He noted, a bit unsettled. "But very well mind you I will hold you to that." He said.

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 6:56 AM

"Oh, please excuse me, I meant no insult to you. Perhaps it's unjust to thank the god of our enemies..." Noticing his discomfort, Persephone spoke a rapid apology. A stranger like him willing to work for Prince Phineas could, despite her presumptions, have nothing but hatred for Ethysia. "Then, by the goddess of love, I-- wait, no!" The young noble brushed some hair out of her face nervously. "...never mind."

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 7:05 AM

"No, no it is fine. War is just that, war and training in any other name wouldn't exactly be worship of the god." He said, "I just... Didn't expect it, it is my fault not yours."

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 7:13 AM

"Yes...it's inevitable, I'm afraid." And that fear was clear in her eyes..until she looked back over her shoulder at the dummy. "I'd best leave you to your own training, then."

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 7:14 AM

He noted the fear in her eyes, but said nothing of it. Instead he simply nodded. "If you need any more help I will be here, wether you do so or no I wish you luck either way."

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 7:16 AM

She returned his nod with a slight dip of the chin, preparing to depart. "It's been an honor to learn from you, Sir Ralenov. Til we meet again."

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 7:17 AM

"And it has been a honor teaching you. Until then. Persephone." He said, once again grabbing his sword and shield as he prepared to resume his training.

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 7:21 AM

Once Persephone was sure she'd left his sight, the girl cradled her hand once more. The pain was something of a comfort to her - proof that she was willing to earn her victory - but the man's warning lingered on her. Would she ever be able to withstand this strain?(edited)

MKRetunz-Yesterday at 7:23 AM

With Persephone gone Tarsien slumped a bit. Never expected Rhesus to get mentioned by someone from Floribar in a positive tone. He thought, letting out a sigh as he raised his blade and resumed to train.

Kwakado | Traitor-Yesterday at 7:23 AM

===END RP===