|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:49 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:57 pm
It was in the early morning that Ai stepped out onto the training grounds with her sisters. There were three that day, ready and prepped to train what elaria decided to show up. Two were experienced teachers; older alkidike who had taken damage in previous battles and 'retired' of sorts, choosing to spend their remaining days instructing the next generation.
Then there was always the token outsider; the able bodied huntress that was drug in to inspect the youngsters' progress and see if they were up to snuff. For years Ai had avoided it; ever since her last hunt, with the sorry excuses she had brought with her, she had spent more than a fair share of time away from camp in the wilderness. The elders had caught her when she returned for provisions, and now...now she was stuck.
Two keldari encircled her biceps, their heads laying over top hers as she waited, as if they were only pretending to sleep. They didn't seem to stir when the elaria started to show up; mostly teenagers, with a few children who thought themselves 'big' enough for the more advanced classes.
We'll see about that.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 7:09 pm
Whenever a general training session was opened, Pruu always made sure to be there. How else would she learn how to fight? How else would she learn the best ways to eventually join in training those younger than herself.
Well, that... and how else would she figure out what needed to be done to surpass her Alkidike cousins?
That would be for later though. For now, she sighed when she saw the teachers today were two older women. They had their experience, sure, but Pruu felt they were better left to the verbal lessons than physical. Then she saw the third adult, making her c**k her head. This one was different. She couldn't remember her being around the camp at all... Maybe once before? The woman seemed less than pleased to be there, and stood with.. with a keldari on each arm! Pruu was certainly intrigued.
Keeping her youthful excitement under control, she stood and waited patiently for her elders to start the training.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 9:52 am
It was routine, they told her. Something that was expected from the alkidike in order to ensure a stronger, more productive youth. Everyone had to participate or they would risk falling behind.
Looking out at the sea of grey faces, tinged with pink and hope...made Ai want to hurl.
The veteran warriors nodded to Ai, allowing her to take charge this morning. She took two steps forward, gave the group a cursory glance, as if assessing them as a whole before she would start picking them apart individually. "Today we're going to be sword training." Several groaned and Ai snapped, "Keep your comments to yourselves. You should at least know how to handle other weapons, even if you don't use them daily. I want you all to pick out training blades from what has been provided and practice. When you feel up to it...challenge me head on. The first to do so and prove she's a worthy opponent will get to leave training early today to go on a hunt."
The elders scoffed at the obvious attempt from Ai to escape lessons, but at least it got some of the youngsters excited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 4:42 pm
Just looking at the Alk talking, Pruu could practically feel the irritation. ..Was that disgust on her face? The challenge only make Pruu stand straighter though, and she marched over to pick through the swords before deciding on one.
While she wanted to go right to the challenge, since an actual hunt would be so much more interesting than training like usual.. she forced herself to warm up a little first. Stretching and striking at one of the wooden targets, she looked around at the competition. Most of the others looked nervous to face the Alkidike, but a few were putting on airs already and heading for the teacher. Looked like she couldn't delay for too long..
Once she had herself warmed up, she marched over toward Ai. "I am Pruu, and I will challenge you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:14 am
Ai hadn't expected a challenger to step forward so quickly.
In all honesty, she hadn't expected one at all.
She had assumed that with her bold, aggressive speech that most would either crumple or would at least take their time in preparing themselves. So, she stood back with the elders, calling out a few "helpful" comments from time to time, "Straighten your form...bend your knees...use the flat of your sword to block. If that girl was your enemy you'd be dead..."
And then the one named Pruu came to her. At first Ai simply stared, taking in the image of a headstrong warrior before nodding. "So be it. I accept your challenge, Pruu." Ai moved to unsheath her twin blades before taking a battle stance, more than a little aware that most of the others training had died down. It seemed they were more keen to watch the fight than actually prepare to take Ai on themselves.
"Attack me when you're ready."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:28 am
Once the challenge was accepted, Pruu raised her blades into her fighter's stance, quickly analyzing her foe. Ai was stronger and more experienced, but she also seemed to underestimate the abilities of the Elaria. Well, Pruu would show her they were strong, too.
The training grounds seemed to go quiet, and she filled the gap with a war cry when she leaped forward, swinging out the blades quickly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:24 pm
[4/10]
Ai spun the hilts of her swords so that the blunt side of her blades ran parallel with her forearms. When she had a solid grip she raised her arms, brought them together and used the actual blades as a make shift shield. Her body absorbed the shock of the attack, as the weight of it reverberated up her arms.
The girl was spirited and fast, but how long would she be able to keep it up?
With her blades still held in a defensive position Ai raised her leg and swung, bringing it up in an arch straight for Pruu's side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2017 7:23 pm
When blades hit blades, she yanked one free to slash with. Just barely seeing the swinging leg in time, she spun and bent so that the toes only brushed her skin. She ducked and tried to follow in after the leg, using its momentum to aim a smack toward Ai's center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:19 pm
She was faster than Ai expected. The older warrior shifted, not ready to let that surprise take her off course. In that moment Ai allowed the blade to smack her core, but she didn't move away. Instead, she used the close quarters to bring her blades around, as if she were going to meet them in the middle...
...right where Pruu's neck would be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:31 pm
Seeing her blade make contact, Pruu felt another rush of adrenaline. She'd made a hit! Of course, that was enough distraction for her to belatedly realize what Ai was doing in return for that hit. Hissing through her teeth, she knew she had to chance to change her own full force of momentum, and shoved her second blade forward as well to attempt a double hit on Ai's abdomen. When she felt the touch of Ai's blades to such a vital part of her body, she growled and looked up, frozen in place to await orders. Ai could still attack with Pruu's blades in the belly, but she herself was useless now that her head was technically gone...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:42 pm
If it had been a real battle Ai may very well not have walked away alive. Sure, she would have succeeded with a fatal hit to her opponent, but depending on where and how hard Pruu's own blades struck....
All in all, Ai was impressed.
She waited there a moment, catching her breath with her sword on either side of Pruu's fragile neck before pulling them away with the ghost of a smile. All around them a chorus of cheers rose up, swarming Ai's consciousness. The teenagers were excited to see one of their own come so close defeating one of their older cousins.
"You did well."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:53 pm
The battle was over quickly, but the adrenaline and nerves had her panting softly. This had carried a different weight than normal training. She didn't move until Ai's blades left her neck, standing upright and taking a step back. She couldn't help the elated chills the singing of her sisters gave her.
"Thank you for the opportunity," she replied, giving a respectful nod of her head. Now that the air was clear, she couldn't help a small, intrigued smile. "Now, about the hunt-?" she inquired.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:02 pm
The elders were trying to shush the cacophony of noise around them, almost begging the youngsters to have some semblance of dignity. Ai both liked it, and also wanted them to shut up. It would no doubt give Pruu a confidence boost, but it also may lead to a big head, which was something Ai wouldn't abide by.
"We can leave now, if you like. We won't go far, so you needn't pack." Of course, Ai should have been worried about what the girls mothers would think, but the thought didn't even cross her mind.
"I don't know about you but I am eager to leave."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:13 pm
Pruu raised her chin slightly. leave right now! Excellent! She glanced over her shoulder at the cheers, honestly a little embarrassed as well. Cheer a little, but it was getting a bit excessive. "I am ready as well," she said to Ai quickly, turning to drop the training blades back onto the table. She plucked up her own blades that she used, and walked over to Ai at the ready.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
