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 Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2023 2:08 pm
As a girl there hadn't been talk of visiting Zinris. It was always a place too far off to be real, and yet corporeal enough to bring hurt to their family. Ayona's blood relations had outright disowned their daughter for choosing an Alkidike as a spouse, and excommunicated her for choosing to stay in Chibale. For as long as Ilsa could remember Mama Ayona never spoke of her family and what she did know came from Mama Kanai. The way she talked about them made Ilsa think they were monsters born from a black ooze whose very touch could burn through skin and go straight to the heart.
As much as she loved Ayona, it tainted her view of Zinris. So much so that as bad as the bullying was in Chibale she'd never once thought of going. When her mothers had decided it was time they made their stand, however, it caught her by surprise. Why now?! Weren't they happy in Chibale?! It was only a visit - a month, tops - but why were they going at all? Mama Ayona wanted to see Elzira again, so she couldn't fault her for that, but still...
And of course, within days of their arrival Ilsa was already in a fist fight.
Her colors marked her as something 'different' and her size made Ilsa a threat. She'd been on the edge of the village, keen on just taking in the area without stepping on too many toes, when a group of five jumped her. As outnumbered as she was Ilsa fought like a beast and kept the punches coming, even after her left eye started to swell and she could no longer breath out of her nose. When she heard an adult call out she thought it might be over until...
...she did nothing. Ilsa could see an older Elarian standing on the fringes, confusion being replaced with an odd look. Passively, she looked over her shoulder, presumably to make sure they weren't going to be stopped before Ilsa was sucker punched.
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Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 12:31 pm
Pruu couldn't help being a little on edge. Her daughters were still over on the other land on their own. She could count on them to take care of themselves, but there was no family there for her to depend on to help them if it was needed. Certainly no way of even knowing if they needed help.
She flipped her blades around in the air as she walked toward the training ground. When there was nothing else to do..
Ah, something was happening though. She saw the group clustered around.. something, and went in for a closer look. Ah, one of the sisters made eye contact and instantly flinched away. Oh, that was always a good sign...
Was that..? "Enough!" she bellowed out, her tension showing through the burst as she marched forward. "What sort of behavior is this?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 12:07 pm
Ilsa's fist connected with the gut of the closest Elarian and she'd been halfway to headbutting her when a voice caught her attention. Being reprimanded for 'causing an outburst' in the training area was nothing new to Ilsa; the location was, however, and for a moment the teenager paused. When a set of hands pushed her away from the opponent closest to her Ilsa snarled, but wisely took a few steps back. Whoever had interrupted them had garnered enough respect that the others didn't immediately disregard her, but there was a warning in their eyes when they looked at her.
It wasn't over; not by a long shot.
"Just a bit of training, Pruu," The older Elarian remarked casually. She gestured to the group, then passively pointed to Ilsa. "We have a visitor from Chibale; the girls were just making sure she'd been properly trained by our cousins." Now that she could get a better look at the woman Ilsa recognized her as Eera; a woman who'd openly vocalized her disdain the moment Ilsa's family came to visit.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:21 pm
Pruu finally got a good look at the target and felt herself pause. Elarian but.. a hybrid? Wait. She'd heard about this particular hybrid, and the mixed reception she and her mothers had garnered with their arrival. She turned her attention back to the others, facing down the various reactions she was getting to her interference. Only one of the girls looked rightly embarrassed, and the indignant glares that she herself got from the others only irritated her further.
"I do believe you have found your answer, Eera," she stated firmly as she stalked closer to the group. "Even those trained by our cousins can be humbled in a six to one attack. Perhaps you all aught to rest and regain your strength after such strenuous work." While Pruu could appreciate the challenge of multiple opponents, the air here was thick enough to practically taste that this was no willing training. Ganging up like that to beat up someone, even a hybrid, was just utterly disgraceful.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:53 pm
While a few of the girls were reluctant to leave the group took Pruu's tone to heart. They may not have wanted to go, but with a more seasoned fighter making her case they weren't left with much choice. One of the girls, the very same that Ilsa had sucker punched, started to walk away before stopping. She turned, one arm wrapped around her stomach, to spit on the ground and snarl at Ilsa.
Ilsa returned the look, but instead of anger she met her eyes with indifference. This was just another barrier to overcome, and if she had to then she'd fight them again. And again, and again, and again until they understood she wasn't going anywhere.
"Is it common practice for Elaria to fight in groups?" When she did glare it was at Eera, then with a more somber look she turned to Pruu. "If it is then they're the ones in need of training."
"No one was talking to you." Eera snapped.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 3:26 pm
Once the group started to disperse, Pruu let out her breath in a slow sigh. Her posture remained as firm as her tone though, making sure they were all actually leaving. Spitting... yeah, this was a normal training exercise. Clearly.
The hybrid's words caught her by surprise, and Eera's reaction only made it more amusing. She pressed her lips to stifle a laugh. Speaking of which though... she couldn't help the prickle of embarrassment that she felt for her fellow Elarians. "She is not wrong, Eera," she said, turning a sharp eye on the Elarian still lingering. "Battles are to be finished quickly, and it looks as though she was holding her own against the lot of you much more ably than is decent. Now, go. Rest and cool off."
She looked back to the hybrid and cocked her brow curiously. "Still, you look as though you've been hit by a mountain. You should go rest as well."
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:46 pm
After giving a disdainful snort, Eera curled her lip and stalked her way back toward the village. Although Ilsa couldn't hear everything she was saying under her breath what she could pick up wasn't kind. It hurt; it always did, but she kept it pushed back with all the other insults.
"I can't go back just yet," the teenager hesitantly admitted. Her body was bruised, sore and bleeding in some spots, but her actions didn't follow the aesthetic. Ilsa was every bit the nervous girl in that moment, and the thought of going back like this... "I'll take some time to find a healer and clean some of this up. My mothers have enough to worry about." Hopefully it wouldn't be a stain on their trip here; Mama deserved to have a good time. "Thank you for that though; stepping in like you did."
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 7:51 pm
With a soft sigh, Pruu was already starting to move on her way. It.. really was embarrassing the more she thought about it. That many of her sisters against someone from Chibale and the hybrid was still standing... Of course, it was also impressive as hell. The soft voice immediately caught her attention though, and she turned back. Now she had a really good look at the girl. Close to the age of her own girls... "I don't see why they should worry. If anything, this should bolster their confidence in your abilities." Still.. she understood the worries of a mother. "As it is, perhaps it is best that they know what you are facing here."
She shook her head dismissively. "It was no trouble. They- ..we are all constantly growing and learning. Some of them take longer to learn and apparently need reminders of what the Aishan way is about." Once, she would have been tempted to join the foray. Now though.. She was disgusted by their behavior. "I can take you to one of the healers, if you wish."
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 1:07 pm
Ilsa wasn't worried about whether or not her mothers' were aware of her capabilities. If anything she just shrugged it off because they knew she could handle herself, but it was a matter of them not wanting her to be in those situations that left tension. She just...didn't want to see their faces once she told them what happened. It left her feeling guilty, guiltier than she already was, about causing them issues.
But she couldn't very well tell a stranger that.
"...If you don't mind I would appreciate it. I still don't know my way around very well yet."
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:07 pm
Pruu waited patiently for the girl to decide. The girl was clearly made of stern stuff. She could only imagine how much pressure was put on the hybrid for being of two Aishan races. Fitting in, but.. also not. At least there didn't seem to be any earthling heritage in the mix.
That seemed to be the end of any personal conversation. She nodded and turned with a wave of her hand. "Come along then. Be sure you make note of where it is. I am sure you will need to stop there again during your stay." Her lips pressed slightly, and she fiddled at her belt for a moment. Soon enough, she held an old cloth out to Ilsa. "Here. Wipe yourself up a bit. It looks bad from old blood, but I assure you it's clean."
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:16 pm
The comment about visiting the healer again stung in it's practicality. She knew it was true; Ilsa would no doubt become either a fast friend or a nuisance to whoever was unfortunate enough to treat her wounds.
The teenager turned her gaze up from the ground to look toward the older Elarian and was surprised to see the cloth. Her mouth twisted into a little brighter of a smile as she took it. "It's fine; I've seen worse." When she raised it to dab at a cut around her eye Ilsa pulled back with a hiss on instinct before settling it back on the area. "Can I ask another favor? Do you know anywhere to train that isn't as crowded? I need to keep up, but if I join the group tomorrow this trip to a healer will be pointless." It wasn't as if she was planning on slacking off because of a few injuries. As long as she could move Ilsa was going to train.
She just didn't want to have her eye bashed again if she could help it.
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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2023 7:48 pm
Pruu felt a little smirk rise from the commentary. "I do not doubt it." One didn't get that resilient by avoiding getting bloody.
She looked over with a raised brow, wondering how many favors the youth would be requesting. Oh, it was just about training? "I suppose that is doable," she replied with a hint of play in her tone. As far as she was concerned, these favors were just basic manners. "There are multiple areas set up for training around here." After a pause, she glanced over to the hybrid again. "We will meet at the healer's hut tomorrow before sunrise, and I will show you where to go. In return for these 'favors,' I would like to observe your practices."
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:53 am
Despite a limp, Ilsa was doing well to keep up with the Elarian. The ribs on her left side were aching, though not so poorly that she was immobilized, and honestly it felt like her entire left side had taken the brunt of their attacks. Still, as she walked Ilsa turned her dark eyes around the area and tried her best to remember any sort of markers leading the way.
The woman's words brought out a quirk of a brow and Ilsa found herself moving a little quicker to keep pace. "I wasn't cheating if that's what you're worried about. Everything I used against them was my own." She wasn't a fan of dirty fighting, though if it had been a life or death battle Ilsa may have changed her mind.
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 7:52 am
Pruu hummed softly. "The thought had crossed my mind, I will admit. However, those girls would have called you out instantly if they thought you had." She glanced over at Ilsa contemplatively. "Besides, I get the impression that you are not the cheating type. I hope I am right." Otherwise, it was going to be a rather disappointing day. Though she was aware of the other's struggle, she didn't bother slowing down at all. How far could this girl truly push herself?
"It is more that I am interested to see what techniques you employ. It truly is no small feat to face a group as you did and be able to walk away. You have shown a gap in their training and I wish to remedy that. Growing and learning is vital in life."
A hint of a playful smile quirked the corner of her mouth. "Life lessons aside, learning new ways to train is also just an enjoyable way to pass the time. Wouldn't you agree?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2023 8:03 am
"I'll be glad to show you I'm not." She didn't say it with bite or defensiveness; rather, Ilsa spoke with pride. Her mothers' blood ensured her height, but it was her own work that made the muscles she carried herself with. Every step pulled at her ribs, forcing Ilsa to grin and bear it. Her left eye was now completely swollen shut so she had to cant her head a little to keep the Elarian in her sight.
"It is." Was she gritting her teeth? Ilsa took a measured breath through her nose and let it out through her teeth. "This is far from the first time others have taken offense to me, and it won't be the last. I'm every bit as Aishan as they are, half of my blood is from Elzira, and if beating them at their own games is what it takes to prove it then I'll do it." Now she was really starting to get winded though it didn't slow her down.
"I'll admit, though...I'd rather be spat at and called a few slurs. Easier that way." Pushing it out of her mind for the moment, Ilsa focused on their conversation to keep herself motivated. "What do you normally fight with?"
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