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 Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:59 am
Hroarr quivered with excitement, making the branches spread along his side look like a sprightly wind blew through them. His childish energy and enthusiasm made him want to leap and bound about unrestrainedly, but this was far too important to be goofing about! So instead he stood still, eyes shining brightly, muscles coiled, gazing intently at his father.
Oh certainly, there were others he could learn from, but why would he want to? His dad was the most powerful warrior in the pride! He'd fought for being the leader and won! No cub could ask for a better teacher! He'd have been excited even if Aesir wasn't his father! All Hroarr wanted was to excel at fighting, to become as strong and adept as his dad at making war and leading lions. His little body still trembled as he thought this over, his excitement rising a notch higher still. Small he might be, but his dad could show him how to survive, how to win!
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Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:54 am
 For Aesir the day was not going as he was accustomed to his days going. He had agreed to spend some time training his son Hroarr to fight. Morrigan hadn't explicitly said Hroarr was too young to be taught these things, after all, and it was important that he learn young. A lot would be expected from him, considering he was the son of the Warlord and the High Priestess.
"Relax," he told his cub. "Getting all tense and excited about things won't help. You'll just tire yourself out and stress your muscles."
He wasn't particularly good with cubs and young things, and his recent experiences with them had not been all that recent. They'd all come before he left to go viking. They'd been a surprise shortly after he came back. Not an unpleasant one, either, and undeniably his offspring, which made him very pleased. He would have been deeply unhappy to come back and find her nursing someone else's cubs. But he hadn't, so he dismissed the thought.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:40 am
The cub looked down at his forelegs, then back along one side, examining himself with interest. So this was bad. No doing this anymore! But it was so hard to contain his excitement! He made a valiant effort to relax, though right at first he only tensed himself more instead of less. He frowned, clearly concentrating, and then visibly from his tail upwards the quivering muscles let go. His hind toes flexed and then rested on the ground more naturally. His back arched just faintly, then loosened. He stretched his forepaws forward, claws extended for a moment, and opened his jaw wide in a yawn, and when he stood again, he'd let all that tension go. He flicked his ears backwards in consideration and looked up at his father for approval.
Inside of course he still quivered eagerly, but now he knew that had to stay inside, not touching the outside. "I keep my quivers to myself," he stated, almost as a question. He wondered if there was something he was supposed to do with those quivers instead, but surely there was more to fighting than just being relaxed! He spread his whiskers and dropped his mouth open, letting in more air to fill his lungs. What would come next?
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:53 pm
"I'm not boring you, am I?" he asked, amused by his son's yawn. He could guess at its true source, but he couldn't resist poking fun at the little one, who was trying so very hard.
"It's probably best that you do," he said, referring to the anxious energy his cub's body was working so hard to release. "Or else people might think you're afraid, and I know you're not. You've got iron in your blood."
Speaking those words made Aesir swell up with pride. It hadn't occurred to him that he might actually enjoy having offspring to teach and show off. At least as long as they were well-behaved and did him no dishonor. And as long as he could deposit them with their mother when he tired of them.
"All right, Stormborn. Let's start with the basics. Attack. Mostly, that's what we do best, so what I want you to do is jump as far as you can, as if you're trying to knock someone over when you land. If you can get a lion to the ground and trap them beneath you, you've almost won already."
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:53 am
The cub got a determined look on his face and crouched low, digging his hind paws into the ground firmly. With a cubbie rowl of a roar, he launched himself forward, forepaws spread wide. He dropped one shoulder lower than the other and thrust it forward further, and mimed ramming that shoulder into his opponent as he landed. As his forepaws touched ground, he whipped his hind end around as if to land it on his imagined foe, and with gaping jaws he lunged for where he imagined the throat would be, snapping his fangs shut with as much strength as he could muster.
Momentum spent, he remained crouched over his invisible opponent and looked up at his father expectantly. He both wanted approval and instruction. No cub, even a cub of his mighty father, could be at his best already. Still, Hroarr did his best to watch and learn from the grown-ups' practice bouts, absorbing techniques and trying them out on his siblings when he got the chance. But this... this was so much better than watching and playing at it!
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:17 pm
Aesir stood to one side and watched his son hurtling through the air, attacking an imaginary target. It took him a moment to figure out why he dropped his shoulder mid-air, but then he figured it out and observed the cub twisting to immediately pin the invisible foe he'd first hit with his shoulder. It was actually an impressive attempt for one so young, but Aesir had to assume that Hroarr wasn't completely unpracticed at fighting. Likely there were a few cubs around the pride, possibly even some of his own, bearing bruises from Hroarr's practice.
"I've seen worse," was what he told the cub though.
He walked to where Hroarr had begun his leap and marked off the paces until the point where his son crouched over his imaginary opponent. Not a bad distance, but some of it had been lost with the fancy maneuvering. Which he had not asked for, unless Hroarr had interpreted his instructions differently than he'd intended. He hadn't thought he was being unclear. Oh well.
"The distance isn't bad. And distance is an easy thing to practice with, because the farther you can jump, the harder you can hit someone who's closer than the outside range of your leap." Probably Hroarr could have figured that out for himself, but it didn't hurt to articulate it. That way there could be no confusion.
"Also, keep in mind that if you're attacking someone, there's a good chance they'll try to attack you back. Try to keep your chin tucked to your chest as much as possible while you're in the air until your mane grows in. And never let a lion get his claws or teeth into your stomach. You're essentially done for if that happens."
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:00 pm
He watched his father measuring distance and eyed the distance critically h imself. He definitely could have done better, no question. For just a moment he worried that he would garner his father's disapproval, but Aesir's reaction was not as bad as he'd feared for that moment. He sat up straight and nodded agreement, trying to look reasonable and critical at the same time. He took the clue and mentally noted to start practicing lengthening his distance jumps. He started shifting slightly, flexing certain muscle groups in mental experimentation with how to better his jump.
However, as his father continued his instruction, he listened raptly, stilling his motions. He mimed the chin tucking, finding that it limited his range of sight. He tried pulling his head back and tucking his chin, but that felt awkward and probably looked ridiculous as well. He shook out his head and tried again, this time rising up on his hind legs. Sure enough,t hat helped him to see better while protecting his throat, but now he'd exposed his belly.
He dropped back to all fours with a sigh. He wasn't anything close to giving up, but real training instead of just mock fighting with his siblings and other cubs was much harder. He liked it though, even if it gave him so much more to try and do all at the same time. "I'll try, father," he replied stoutly. "It's hard, but I'll give it my best effort." This would give him some thought on why the reavers did the things they did while practicing. "How do I keep them off my belly, father?" he asked then, tipping his head.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:25 pm
Aesir watched his son go through the motions while trying to keep his chin tucked close to his chest and had to stifle amused laughter. It wasn't very kind of him, perhaps, but when he was a cub an older lion had given him the exact same advice. The lion had been about his size, but older and more experienced, so he had won their fight, beating Aesir pretty thoroughly. His parting words had been a warning to keep his chin down until his mane grew in. Aesir had been foolish and he had taken the words to heart.
It took him months to realize that the advice was completely useless. He was giving it to Hroarr mostly to see how long he persisted in using a faulty technique just because someone said it was worthwhile. It was actually fairly important for a fighter to be able to tell when something just didn't work for them, and that would be Aesir's explanation if he was asked why he had given his own son bad, or at least useless, advice like that.
"I'd recommend not letting them get beneath you with their hind claws up. Hind claws rip into the soft part of your belly really easily." That much was true. "There's also more pushing power in your hind legs, so they'll be trying to use that to push you off of them if you let them. Try to pin them in such a way that their hind paws can't reach you."
Easier said than done, that, but it was something he wanted Hroarr to work on and figure out for himself. Aesir could give pointers and correct technique, but teaching technique wasn't really one of his skills. He would be happier once his sons were old enough to spar without fear of accidentally crushing them.
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:23 am
He extended one hind leg and kicked it experimentally, watching the motion with one eye. Yes, that did seem like an especially strong part of his body. He set the paw down and flexed the claws of his hind paws thoughtfully. "Unless of course I can get my hind legs into their belly before they can get to mine," he said in all cubbie seriousness. "Cause if they are gonna kick me, they'll have their belly open too, won't they, Father?" He turned eager eyes to Aesir, a sponge to anything and everything his father said.
Hroarr was the picture of the most studious and attentive students. He was not distracted by the calls of other cubs playing not far away. He did not turn to see if he could spot the mock-battle going on within hearing distance. He was not distracted by a hopping bug making its way between he and his father. No, he was all about absorbing every bit of information he could during these precious moments with his father. Truthfully, he'd have given equal attendance to any other teacher, for the exact same reason he did here. He wanted, in the end, to make his father proud to call him his son. He wanted to give Aesir reason to brag about him, not realizing eventually that would also mean his father might see him as a threat for the thorne. Or perhaps the parent would know the child better than that... know that Hroarr had no designs to wrest the leadership of the pride from him. Only time and events would tell that. For now, this moment was Hroarr's entire focus in life.
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:18 am
Aesir almost smiled at his son's forethought, but stopped himself. It was good to see that Hroarr was thinking about the problem, but he'd not thought it all the way through, obviously, and so the reward of a smile had not yet been earned.
"Think about it," Aesir said. "When you draw your hind legs back to kick, do your paws come up closer to your stomach? They're protecting themselves quite well if they're on their back, kicking up."
He paused, waiting to give his son time to absorb his words and visualize the image he had posed for his consideration. Really, there weren't many advantages to letting another lion get their hind paws up beneath you. Once they'd done so, if you were lucky your opponent would just fling you away. If you weren't lucky, you'd end up with your guts and entrails spilling all over them, which was generally fatal.
"Consider also, if you're on top of them, how will you use your hind legs to your advantage? They're already pressed to the ground, so you can't press them much farther, so pushing against them will only succeed in pushing you off of them. Though, of course, if you get the opportunity to tear into your opponent's gut, you should absolutely take it. Belly wounds are nasty."
Aesir wasn't unaware of the distracting sounds around them, and he was pleased with his son for making the decision not to allow them to distract him. His own tendency was to filter out most surrounding sounds once he was engaged in battle. If he heard the voice of an ally raised in a cry for assistance, he would note it, but otherwise he found distraction was too dangerous. It was good that Hroarr was demonstrating the ability to resist it already.
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Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:59 am
His brow furrowed as he listened. This was starting to give him a headache. Didn't his father just tell him he needed to try and throw his opponent to the ground swiftly? But now he was saying that they had an advantage while on the ground. His ears folded in fierce and confused thought. This fighting business was a lot more complicated and difficult than he'd thought. Well, if you didn't know something, it was best just to ask, right?
"What should I do if I get on top of them, father?" he asked forth-rightly, eyes pinned on Aesir's expression. What he wanted was direct and simple answers, but he was beginning to realize that there wasn't always a simple answer, particularly when it came to fighting. It hadn't occurred to him yet that his father might purposely mislead him in order to teach him more effectively. He simply took his father's words at face value and trusted that he would want his son to succeed well, and thus give him every advantage.
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:27 am
Aesir shook his head. There was only so much he could explain to someone about fighting. It was more efficient to show them, but Hroarr was simply too small to be safe if his father sparred with him. Aesir had never been one to hold back, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to correctly gauge how much he would have to do so to avoid damaging his son. He knew that training came with its risks, and he would be very surprised if Hroarr made it to adulthood without acquiring his share of scars, but Aesir was leery at this point of being the one to give them to him.
"I think the point here is more that you can turn any situation to your advantage if you know what you're doing," the large lion said. "The best way to figure out how to deal with these situations is to be in them, from both sides. Be the one who's pinned and the one doing the pinning."
Perhaps Aesir should have made Fyri come along so that he could pit the two cubs against one another, but Hroarr had seemed keen on having the time to himself. Aesir wasn't usually an indulgent father when it came to his sons, but he hadn't seen the harm in letting Hroarr have his way in this. Besides, he hadn't known where Fyri was to summon him and make him learn alongside his brother. Next time, though, he would make sure both his sons were present. Maybe his daughters, too, since they were showing obvious signs of wanting to be warriors.
"Practice on your brother. Your sisters, too. Really, the best thing for you to do at this point is to practice and figure out for yourself what works best. Once you've figured that out, I will be more useful to you as a teacher because I'll be able to tell you how to fix what you're already doing." It was as close as the Warlord would come to admitting that teaching was neither his forte nor an activity he was comfortable with.
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:59 am
"Alright father," he replied in acceptance. He supposed it made sense that the best way to learn was to do it. He brightened at the suggestion, almost command, that he practice on his siblings. He'd been tussling with them, but he rather liked the idea of doing more serious sparring with them. His tail lashed with excitement. "Can I go do that now?" He practically quivered again in anticipation. He glanced the direction they were most likely in, then looked at his father. Best time to start was now, after all!
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 4:28 pm
Aesir nodded. "Yes, go. And if you're feeling generous you might try to teach them some."
He didn't really care whether or not Hroarr decided to take it upon himself to instruct his siblings. It could be amusing to watch, particularly with Fyri, who probably would not be pleased by his brother presuming to instruct him in fighting. He didn't really imagine Kazul or Badb would take offense, but they probably wouldn't provide easy targets, either. He smiled, proud of his warrior princesses. It didn't occur to him that Hroarr would probably take the smile as a reaction to something he's done.
"One thing to remember," he said before his son departed. "Words are just words. It is the deed that makes a warrior."
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:35 am
He had begun to bound away at his father's blessing to go practise with his siblings. His mind was already working on how to get his brother and sisters to spar with him, who to challenge first and what maneuvers might work on each. He was brought up short though by his father's addition of one more thing. He came to an abrupt halt and looked back expectantly.
Words are just words. It is the deed that makes the warrior.
It was as if a bell had been struck deep inside of him. His pupils widened, and he held perfectly still, letting the words vibrate inside of him, etching on his memory, a bright flame casting everything else in his mind into shadow.
Words are just words. It is the deed that makes the warrior.
It was several moments before he realized he wasn't breathing. He almost didn't feel like he had to, but dutifully his lungs began working again upon his realization that they hadn't been. He met Aesir's eyes then, serious and full of depth beyond just cubhood fancies. "I will remember, father." Still thrumming inside, his mind whirling around those words over and over again, he turned slowly and padded off at a steady walking pace.
To be a warrior, it was the deed that would prove him. Of course, many other cubs boasted and postured with insults or verbal jabs, but from this day forward, Hroarr vowed to never participate in such nonsense. It was do or not do. Fight or fail. With hardened resolve, he broke into a lope again, feeling more determined than ever to make his father proud of him.
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