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 Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:41 pm
Coming upon the Training Grounds, he heard a loud clambering as people coughed on a cloud of dust kicked up by Avelaine. He knew Avelaine Droselle, as he had seen her around her parent's inn. She shot past him, opened the gates, and dashed in. He smiled lightly at her eagerness. She must have been invited for the competition as well. I certainly wouldn't want to have to face off against her energy. Continuing his pace, Yuki entered the still-swung-open doors to the Training Grounds. Several sparring matches were underway between some more inexperienced combatants, and dummies and obstacles were scattered around for individual skill training. Off to his left, Avelaine was pounding on a burlap-enrobed wooden dummy.
He stepped up to an empty dirt sparring arena and drew his sword slowly. Nobody seemed to be paying attention, and none recognized him, so he relaxed a bit. I think I'll practice some of my basic swordsman skills today since I'll need practice without a shield and my heavy collar. Raising his sword high above his head, he swuhng it downward rapidly to the ground. His "Bash" completed, he repeated it a few times at slightly different angles. Warmed up, Yuki changed his mind. A Searing Light might do me som good as I've not used an mana in a while Thrusting his hand forward flat-palmed, particles of light rushed to a spot just an inch from his hand. In the next instant, an angled beam of light shot from his hand to the ground on the far end of the arena. The beam disappeared as quickly as it had materialized, but the spot hit remained glowing for a while. Yuki cracked his wrist a few times, pleased at the results of his shot. Taking a firm stance, he held the tip of his sword in his magic-casting hand. Pushing the sword forward, the entire blade glowed and produced the same beam of light as beforecame from his hand. Switching his sword to his magic-casting hand, the balde glowed with light energy. He made a forward jab with the sword and a stream of holy energy erupted from its point. resheathing his sword, Yuki cracked his neck and stood completely motionless.
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:57 pm
As Rosiya made her way to the Training Ground leasurely, she shielded herself with her sleeves from the dust that flew from Avelaine's dash.
'Must be Avelaine...'
Rosiya had known her not just because there were so many of the clinic's patients by her, but also because she had met her during her training days at the Abbey. She was thoroughly impressed by Avelaine's speed, though her own was still more useful than most, but to Rosiya's knowledge, she was still one of the strongest of the monks to be trained at the Abbey.
Walking through the gate that was already open, Rosiya eyed the grounds to see her competitions. She had definitely recognized most who were present already, thanks to her work at the clinic, but she also saw some unfamiliar folks who looked as if they were not from Prontera. Shrugging to herself, Rosiya walked over to a corner with fairly newer looking dummies and stretched her arms and legs casually, ignoring the grunts of people behind her, who were ready to go at the dummies. When she was done stretching, Rosiya stood up straight, took a deep breath and took her stand as she let out an even longer breath. In an instant, she rushed for the dummy, dealing a heavy blow each time her fist or leg contacted with the thick wooden poll. She had always kept her training going, and it paid off well as she felt her power, speed, and the feel of the combat return to her much quicker than usual.
After numerous devistating blow to the dummy, Rosiya stopped briefly to measure herself as to how longer she wanted to go on. By then, the dummy was looking rather beat up already.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:47 am
The training grounds were right ahead of Dunya and Colin and they made their way through the open gate. All over people were attacking wood and straw dummies with a ferocity that rather scared her. She vaguely recognized a couple of faces as those of knight's who would stop by the stables on occasion. She tapped Colin's head to remind him to stick close and they wandered and dodged the crowded area to get to the archery fields.
Dunya established herself at an empty target and turned to Colin. He recognized the look and sat down well behind her where he would be in no danger of getting skewered. Dunya unslung the bow from her shoulders and removed her satchel, setting it on the ground beside Colin. She remembered just then that she needed to pick up some paper and ink on the way home.
Resettling her thoughts, she picked up an arrow, and after checking it's fletching, knocked it on her bow. Taking a wide stance and steading herself, she drew back, aiming just slightly upward. The bow gave way until with a snap! she released the string. The arrow flew fast and straight, and landed 0ff center on the target. "Good thing I came, eh?" she asked Colin. "I'm a bit out of practice..." Colin looked at her with bright eyes, and she recognized the look of a canine laugh. Dunya sighed and knocked another arrow. "I'd really like to see you do this someday you know." she whispered to him as she drew back. This one flew faster and embedded itself much closer to the center of the target.
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:46 am
Claire walked through the east side of Prontera, headed towards the Training Grounds, taking her wooden sword along with her instead of her real one, seeing as she was only doing some training. She had already stopped at the inn which she called home, said “I’m home” to her adoptive parents, and was told where Avelaine currently was. Claire too, also received that letter saying that she was invited to the tournament and decided to head home early from her outpost duty on the Border where the Brotherhood assigned her. They gladly consented and she packed up, got on a PecoPeco and left for Prontera that same day, arriving back here within a few days due to her quick-footed Peco.
She saw the entrance of the training grounds a few ways farther ahead, and when she immediately saw Avelaine beating up a dummy with unrestrained force. Her eyes gleeming with a naughty scheme, Claire creeped slowly closer to Avelaine so as to surprise her. Her light footwork combat style seems to have lots of effect in masking the sounds of her steps. Standing right behind Avelaine as she reared to punch the dummy again, Claire, with a shine in her eyes, poked her ‘sister’ hard in opposite sides of her waist while whispering a loud and creepy, “BOO.”
“Hi, sis,” Claire greeted her sister, after scaring her half to death, “wanna test your skills out on me and spar?”
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:47 pm
Dunya fired a few more shots, smiling as each time the arrows moved their way closer and closer to dead center. She sorted her arrows as she drew them into two categories: those in need of repair or re-fletching, and those which were alright. She fired the ones that didn't need any readjustments. Soon she was out of arrows. Colin leaped up and followed her heels as she went to retrieve them.
Looking around, Dunya remembered why she loved coming to the practice yards. It felt sort of like home. Many people in Payon were archers and it was common practice to teach children by setting up a haystack at some distance, handing them a bow and saying "Make sure no one shoots while you go to get your shots, but other than that, have at it!"
Dunya examined the target from behind to ensure that her shots were making it through. She knew she could use more strength, but as it was the arrows were buried at least half an inch into the wood. She tipped the target over and put a foot on it for leverage. Grasping an arrow shaft below the feathers with both hands she yanked hard. It came free suddenly, and she stumbled backwards, trying to catch her balance. Colin in an effort to help stepped behind her, which was really counter productive and simply provided the inertia block she needed to end up on her butt. She glared at Colin in a joking way and stood back up, dusting herself off. The rest of the arrows came free without consequence and she set up the target again. Arrows in hand she hiked back to her starting position, ready for another round. After checking that Colin was seated behind her, she opened fire again.
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:13 pm
In his still stance, Yuki could vaguely feel the magical energies flowing throughout his existence and among his surroundings. Without opening his eyes, he pushed his hand upward while quietly whispering, "Bright Rain."
Clouds swirled in a small vortex just above him as shards of light trailed down rapidly to meet the ground. He needn't open his eyes to see that or where they were striking, because he could hear the slight whirring sound they made as they zoomed through the air. The light show went on for it's usual time, 10 seconds. As the last beam faded away, he opened his eyes to observe the 10 glowing regions (arranged in a circle around him) left by the spell.
"Perfect." Yuki mumbled under his breath, "That should just about do it for today." Drawing his blade, he practiced a few different swings, stances, and counters before resheathing it. Turning towards the entrance of the Training Grounds, he jumped off the raised dirt arena.
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:22 pm
Ninna finally made it to the training grounds, which was already filled with others who were invited to the contest; some familiar faces, others not. She nodded in the direction of those she recognized as she made her way to the archery grounds.
Arriving, Nin claimed a spot near some other Archers, and began to stretch. After limbering up, she undid her whip from around her waist. Checking to make sure she wasn't too close to any other people, the dancer began to do a few practice manuvers with the whip. A spin, a twirl, a slash, a crack; the gentle sound of the whip moving through the air. Only a few times during her warmup exercises did Nin manage to graze herself with a backlash. It had been awhile since she had practice manuvers with her whip.
Once she was satisfied that she still mantained control during her manuvers, Ninna moved onto target practice. Placing an arrow carefully onto a paticular location on the whip, Ninna took aim, and then with an artful flick sent the arrow flying towards her target.
It missed spectacularly.
Ninna giggled. Yup, it certainly had been awhile. Selecting another arrow, Ninna performed the manuver again, this time with more satisfactory results; it actually hit the target, though no where near close to the center.
"Nothing a few more swings at it can't fix," she thought cheerfully, readying her whip once again.
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Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:54 am
Dunya pulled back on the bow string, about to loose it. Quickly she checked behind her for Colin, to be sure he wasn't in firing range. He wasn't but he was lying down head on paws looking forlorn. She relaxed, letting her aim point at the ground. She looked between the hound and her target. "Ok." she said giving in. "Let's go to the Inn, and then I'm sure there'll be something to do at the stables." she muttered to herself almost. Dunya deposited all her shots in her quiver. She looked at them for a moment and then pulled the hair tie from her ponytail. She wrapped it around about half of the arrows, the ones that needed repair work, and slung the quiver over her shoulder. Her satchel went over one shoulder and her carried her bow almost like a walking staff. "C'mon then." she said looking at Colin, who got to his feet slowly and stretched, yawning theatrically. Dunya sighed again, "Oh come on, it's not THAT bad." she said rolling her eyes.
On their way out of the training yards, Dunya had to side jump to narrowly avoid being hit with a whip. Whoever was using it was apparently firing arrows from it. Dunya was totally surprised, having never seen anyone fire an arrow with anything but a bow. Next she passed a patch of raised dirt that was glowing strangely. A shiver ran through her in excitement and she turned to Colin, who was padding in her footsteps. "This is going to be so interesting!" she said excitedly.
Still amazed by the variety of weaponry and people in the training grounds, Dunya wasn't paying very much attention to keeping her gaze forward. In fact she was looking completely backward over her shoulder when she collided with what at first appeared to her to be a fixed object. She turned around, embarrassed for having run into a wall. But it was no wall. Dunya looked up into the sharp blue eyes of a person at least a head taller than her, and weighing at least twenty pounds more than her. "Oh!" she said in surprise. "Please excuse me, sir." she said blushing bright red.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:23 pm
As he was heading for the exit, a brown-haired woman of about his age ran into him. She was obviously shocked and embarassed, and Yuki could see she was a hunter because of her bow and familiar. "No, it's quite all right." he replied, "I was also at fault." He nodded politely and turned to walk away when curiosity struck him. "So, are you here for the tournament to be held in a few days?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:24 pm
Dunya fell in step beside him, his shadow falling far past her own. She nodded in answer to her question. "So I can assume you are as well." she said with a smile. Colin trotted ahead of her, heading toward the Inn. "What's your specialty may I ask?" she added, her curiosity peaked.
She took in the full scope of him, practically having to lean back a bit. He was at least eight inches taller, and maybe a couple years older. At first glance he seemed almost more metal than man, covered from head to toe it seemed in heavy armor, which explained why at first Dunya had believed she'd run into a wall. His hair was slicked back and he had eyes like ice daggers. "By your look I'd say you're a Knight, but if you were from here I think I'd know you..." she paused and then remembered her manners. "I'm sorry! I'm Dunya, Dunya Haik, and this is Colin." she added with a gesture to the huge grey form just ahead of her. "Pleased to meet you...Mr.?" she transferred her bow to her left hand and offered her right in a handshake.
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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:30 pm
“AHHH!!!!” Avelaine jumped at the sudden surprise of both being shocked at the waists, and the very creepy voice behind her. Immediately she swung her fist sideways and was met by a wooden sword. Normally, the wood would snap in half, but since the person put her hand on the opposite side of the sword where Avelaine struck, her force was efficiently countered. Realizing who the person was, Avelaine’s face brightly lit up with glee and happiness.
“SIS!”, screamed Avelaine, as she proceeded to give her sister an incredibly tight bear hug, along with a barrage of questions that she wanted answered, “I missed you soooooo much! How are you doing? When did you come back? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? Are you staying? Did you eat? Where’s your regular sword? Why are you here? Are you participating in the tournament too? Did you give mom and dad a ‘hi’ first? ”
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Avelaine crushed the life out of Claire when she hugged her. Claire tried to squirm out of her vicegrip to be able to breathe. She knew that if she surprised Avelaine, the latter would get scared and immediately strike, and so Claire’s block was actually the best one to do.
To Avelaine’s questions, she met and answered them as fast as they came out of Avelaine, so that she could get on with training for the tournament. “I’m fine. I just came back. It was sudden, didn’t have time. I’m staying. I ate. It’s at home. To train. Mhmmm. Yep.”
Claire looked at her sister after she answered all the questions, and laughed at the face that she made after realizing that she was scared for the sheer fun of it. Claire, however, pressed her original question again: “So, Avelaine, did you wanna spar and train together? We’d be both brushing our skills off, while trying to get ready for the tournament as well . . ."
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Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 7:18 pm
((Sorry for not posting sooner, but Thanksgiving coupled with my router failing made it impossible for me to access the internet.))
"Yes, I am also entering." Yuki continued, "I'll most likely be entering the Swordfighting and Endurance challenges." They walked for a bit when the woman beside him attempted to guess his rank. Before he could respond, she suddenly introduced herself. How could I have been so absent-minded? I should have introduced myself first. It would have been the courteous thing to do.
Quickly escaping his own thoughts, Yuki returned, "Yuki Daruma. It is a pleasure to meet you, Dunya and..." Looking over a Dunya's companion, he then realized Colin was a wolf, not just a canine, "...Colin. " He was nervous at seeing a wolf in townh, and hoped he was well-maintained by his master. Extending his own hand to meet hers, he continued, "I am actually a Paladin from Izulde. I left my collar and shield back at my losging, hence why I appear to be a Knight." Their handshake having concluded, he spoke once more, "I would assume you are a hunter, correct?" She wore little armor. If any, it was eiher disguised or under he clothing. Her kind eyes brought Yuki to trust her more than he would the average stranger upon first meeting.
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Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:30 am
((No problem, I was just a bit worried this would get 2nd paged))
Dunya smiled at Yuki and laughed lightly. "Pleased to meet you. Bit obvious eh?" she said based on how easily he guessed her profession." We're from Payon, but I'm working at the stables for the Chivalry." she explained, half shocked by herself. She didn't normally talk with people in the city, although she'd known almost everyone in Payon. She had become rather distrustful in Prontera, the only person she regularly spoke to being the Master of Horses.
They were on Legend Road now, and the traffic was somewhat heavier. Dunya whistled and Colin dropped back beside her, and she put her hand between his shoulder blades so they wouldn't get separated. "Are you staying at the Inn?" she asked Yuki.
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Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:12 pm
Ninna, blissfully unaware her whip might be close to hitting those passing by, and that the technique seemed to be a little... unique, continued to practice her arrow slinging. It wasn't long until she started getting all of them more of less in the center.
Pleased with the results, Ninna decided it was time to try another technique. Gathering a small handful of arrows, she closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment. Opening her eyes, she tossed the arrows into the air, where they seemed to hover at predetermine heights. With a flick of her whip, Ninna spun once, the whip collecting each of the arrows. She spun twice more, and then then arrows came flying off the whip, all of them stuck deeply within the target. Happy that she had not forgotten her technique, Ninna went to collect the arrows and try again.
---
After practicing for a good while, Ninna decided to take a look at the other people training. There certainly were a lot of them. Near the training dummies she saw the two daughters of the Droselle Inn's owner. She only knew it was them from what she had seen in town, and by the descriptions given to her by her boss; they were in competition for customers, after all.
Near a dummy, Ninna saw another young person, also a monk, who had short black hair. The dummy itself seemed quite worse for wear.
"My word, that certainly took a beating," she commented, mostly to herself, but it was audible enough for the other person to hear.
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:22 pm
Hearing the comment directed at her, Rosiya turned her head slightly to reply back with a chuckle not so innocent, but not overconfident either.
"I wish they would put up a thicker posts. It looked rather new when I began not a while ago."
Rosiya cracked her knuckles, still bare handed with her waghnak hanging from the side. Shaking her hands out from the breif exercise, Rosiya turned to face the person directly, nodding to her whip.
"I suppose you're entering the tournament as well?"
It was then she also noticed the woman's arrows. Though curious, Rosiya did not bother asking, knowing she would find out in the tournament.
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