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 Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 2:54 pm
  The sun was sat low in the sky, throwing out long shadows across the hard-packed sand. The air was cooling now, though the blood in their veins most certainly was not.
For the past half hour or so, Fia had been trying to work her way through a training schedule set to her by her friend and trainer, Mii'ah. It was hard going. Much harder than Fia could ever have imagined. Things that might have come quicker had she started as a juvenile were slower now in her fully-grown body unused to such physical exertion. And yet her enthusiasm and determination kept her from giving up completely.
"How does this look?" She asked, stepping into a swift advance and throwing out one paw - then two - at the stump of a very dead tree. The tree had become her sparring partner and the wear and tear her claws had left on its bark was clear to see.
No sooner had her second attack been made, did she dig in her hind paws and leap backwards, body twisting as if to evade an attack from a ferocious enemy. She landed awkwardly, pitching herself briefly into the sand, and she spluttered as she looked across at Mii'ah for advice and guidance.
Lying in the shade of a trio of tall rocks, Vesta looked on with weary eyes. She had spent the day out seeking water and though her job had been eased a little from the recent rains, she did not want to let her guard down in case it was only a momentary ease in weather.
She gave Fia a smile of encouragement.
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Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:10 pm
 Mii'ah watched with a stony expression as Fia darted forward and swatted at dead trunk. It wasn't that her technique was poor but a move like that would be ineffective against a speedy opponent. "If you're facing someone slow," she began, advancing toward the charcoal lioness. "It would be most effective, however with someone quicker, they would likely dodge the first swipe and counterattack before the second."
She turned to face the stump. "I recommend you feign with the first swipe toward the face, aiming high then follow throw with a second attack aimed at the chest because they'll jerk back to avoid a claw to the eye," she explained before moving to demonstrate. She darted forward, faking an attack toward what would be the face before swiping hard across where she envisioned the chest.
"Here, we should spar. It would be more effective to actually deal with a moving target," she said slowly glancing over to the resting Vesta. "Vesta!" She called. "I would like you to state any holes in defense you may see." She knew Vesta was not a soldier but she had a keen eye.
It would help.
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Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:17 pm
"Slow, huh? Like a big, dumb male." She released a hissing breath and curled a lip, taking a step back to watch her friend and try to follow her example. "I never was much good at holding back."
Behind them, Vesta gave a little chuckle at that.
She nodded slowly as Mii'ah demonstrated and then took a step back, stretching her muscles in anticipation for the spar that would follow. She was glad that her friend had agreed to this. It helped her work out her frustrations. Helped her focus on something good rather than bad -- if training to kill could be described as something 'good'.
"Will do!" Vesta chirped, shifting her posture and looking more alert.
Fia dropped into a battle stance, tail swinging eagerly behind her. "Don't hold back."
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:48 am
Mii'ah smiled weakly at her companion. "Be wise to not underestimate your opponent," she warned, claws flexing in and out. It was a common mistake that many eager new soldiers would make. She hoped that Fia would be wise enough to not fall into that category. "You only have a split second to react sometimes, it is best that you learn to react appropriately. One second, one reaction could be the difference between winning or losing."
She advanced forward, green eyes darkening. Her tail flicked behind her and she rolled her shoulders back as she moved into position. "I won't," she assured her. There would be no benefit or point to holding back as it would only hinder both parties in the long run. Dueling was the norm here and Mii'ah reveled in that.
She didn't wait for Fia to be ready, she launched herself forward feigning a direct attack before sweeping to the side. She hoped to confuse her opponent. She moved swiftly following up with a quick swipe to the left.
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:46 am
Underestimating people was somewhat a talent of Fia's, nevertheless, she would not underestimate Mi'ah and her talents. The female could fight and if she could learn even a couple of things from her, she felt like she'd be more than capable.
A little smirk lifted the corner of her mouth, putting a fire in her eyes.
And when Mi'ah lunged, Fia rose up to meet her, intending to clash against her and send them both toppling to the ground. Unfortunately, Mi'ah's evade meant that instead of crashing into the lioness, she overshot herself and ended face down in the sand. Hissing, she pulled backwards just as Mi'ah's swipe landed, spinning to launch a counterattack.
"I don't think I have to point out that mistake, Fia!" Vesta chirped merrily from the side.
Fia, snorting loudly, set her hind paws deep and lunged after her slippery competitor, trying to pin her down.
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Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:37 pm
Were this a more casual affair, rather than a serious combat training exercise, Mii'ah might have smiled or laughed playful as Fia crashed into the sand. As it were, her expression remained solemn and her brows twitched with concern. Her friend was too eager for combat and it was her glaring weakness.
The red lioness was fortunate enough to learn from her friend's brother, her commanding officer, who was far too calculating for his own good. He had taught her to predict future moves and counter appropriately. In Fia's haste to fix her mistake prior she clued Mii'ah in on her next move. She slid back in the sand as though she had walked upon it her whole life. The movement was smooth, fluid as she moved out of reach then seemingly danced forward intent of ramming into her opponent.
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Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 3:01 pm
It was not difficult to see who was the better fighter.
Even Vesta, with the untrained military eye, could see how easily Mii'ah predicted Fia's moves, even after so short a time. Fia was fiery and impatient and too keen to land a hit whilst Mii'ah was all calm finesse.
This fight was already over.
The small, delicately featured Firekin female shifted her position on the sand and wished she could say something to help balance things. But she was no fighter and had not a clue on what advice to give.
Fia, huffing with impatience, stared in disbelief as she met only air again - her opponent easily evading. Still, her eyes seemed to brighten when Mii'ah came at her, rising up with the intent to clash with her and wrestle her to the ground where she might get a good pin and turn this fight in her favour. She was not one to shy away, even when it made tactical sense to do so. She certainly had a lot to learn.
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Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 11:24 am
Mii'ah had the advantage and it showed. She had training and the ability to keep frustration from overtaking her. Emotions were Fia's fatal flaw.
Her green eyes flicked up as her opponent rose in response and she decided at the last minute that a fullbody tackle was not wise and leaped instead. Her chest collided with Fia's and her hindpaws dug into the sand.
If this were to truly break down into a wrestling match, Mii'ah was confident that her strength would overpower her opponents.
"You let your emotions muddle your judgement too easily Fia," a male voice rang out as the red lion came up behind Vesta. His blue eyes observing the tangle of limbs with mild disappointment.
"You act too rashly and you leave too many open targets." Always straight to the point this one.
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Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 9:14 am
The sound of her brother's voice had her breaking contact and whipping around to face him; immediately defensive. Mii'ah was a friend and a trusted one at that. Fia did not so much mind looking a fool in front of her as she did her brother. Especially since he was a great fighter and one of rank, too.
Her face darkened with a scowl. "Butt out, Xipil. No one asked for your opinion." Never mind that his opinion had been spot on. How could she help it? Acting rash was who she was. It would mean changing herself and Fia didn't think that doing so was even possible.
Vesta - who had startled to her paws at Xipil's arrival - offered him a small dip of her head, before turning startled eyes towards her friend. How could Fia speak so rudely towards her brother? Especially when he was only trying to help.
"I'm sure he w-was---"
But her defense was cut off by Fia, as she continued speaking. "Mii'ah is my teacher. Not you. Tell him, Mii'ah. He's a male and they just don't understand."
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