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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 6:56 am
How he was talked into this, he would never know.
Nuri was now walking down to the center of Sulburi, seeking a nice location to settle for drinks after a very strenuous match. Saraf was quite strong, Nuri knew it would be a challenge the next time he faced the man with actual weapons. Now that he was in the Army, he knew he could handle himself, but the fight was much closer than the results would key.
Saraf had almost taken him out, had he not gotten that last hit first.
Therefore, when Saraf suggested they get drinks, Nuri knew he would need to ignore the bruises and muscle aches and see the offer through. Besides, he had a lot to talk about with the man now that things were settled and he had a better idea of what he got himself into by joining the army.
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Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 12:07 pm
The sparring match against Nuri had been a good one, one that had come down to the wire, and left the both them exhausted as well as a bit battered and bruised. He had been happy with the battle aside from a couple points here and there where he felt that he could have done a lot better. That just meant that come tomorrow he was going to have to renew his efforts as far as training went, wanting to sharpen his skills further so that he could make up for the weaknesses that he knew he had. As much as he hated to admit it, even just to himself, such things existed and they were things he had to overcome if he was going to reach his various goals in life. Turning to look toward Nuri he gave him a smile, "There is a pretty decent place not too far from where I live, it's there we are heading for drinks." He explained to him, "Good atmosphere, good booze, and only half the bar brawls of some of the other places in the area." Better patronage was to thank for all three of those points, though the occasional outsider with strange views popped up, something that tended to cause the fights to break out. Hopefully tonight would be a more peaceful sort of night he thought to himself in an idle manner. He supposed if those around them wanted to brawl that was up to them, so long as he and Nuri got to enjoy their drinks. "Here we are." He said, motion to the place that had a sign with a janarim skull carved into it hanging just outside the door. With a smile he headed inside, finding the two of them a place to sit at the end of bar where they could observe everything that was going on in the establishment while chatting and enjoying their drinks.
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Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:59 am
Nuri was broken out of his thoughts with Saraf speaking up, and he turned to his peer to listen closely. It seemed as if he wouldn't need to pick anyplace out, as odds were he'd probably drag them close to the Amarylis. He only nodded and followed Saraf in the direction he led, keeping his eyes peeled in case he needed to lead them home.
When they got to the entrance, he studied the skull with interest before walking in and moving to the end of the bar. It was a good location, and it seemed Saraf was keen to keep an eye on things just as much as he was. Waving down a bartender, he ordered his mead before turning toward his friend.
"Please, let me cover your first drink friend." He almost teased, smirking a bit and nodding for him to order his drink.
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:56 pm
As they stepped inside Saraf gave a quick scan of those in the bar, but didn't see anyone that might start any trouble. A good thing since he wanted a nice, relaxing drink after the match with Nuri. After the scan he followed along after his friend, ordering a drink for himself, before looking over to Nuri, "Sounds like an offer I am only too happy to accept." A good drink should help with ridding them of any aches that their sparring wounds had caused them. As their drinks were played before them Saraf reached for his, lifting it to his lips and took a sip. Nothing better then having the magical sort behind the bar, it always meant there were cold drinks to be had, something that was always welcome in Oba. Turning to Nuri he said, "Shall we find a place to sit?" He wasn't sure about Nuri but Saraf was more then looking forward to pulling up a seat. They could relax, chat a bit, and enjoy their drinks before they went their separate ways. Saraf knew that he'd need to be heading home soon, to check in with his mother to see if there was anything she needed, but for the moment he was going to enjoy his drink. Thinking on it Saraf realized that Nuri was one of few he actually enjoyed doing this sort of thing with, perhaps because they were both walking a similar path in life? Giving a motion of his free hand he told Nuri, "There's a free table over there." Set off to one side, with a clear view of the door. It was the sort of seat that Saraf preferred just because it allowed him to get a look at anyone who might come in.
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 11:21 am
Nuri nodded toward the tender, singling he had the round and that Saraf could get whatever he desired. When they both received their drinks, he nodded and followed Saraf to a table. If he thought the drink was delicious, sitting down and letting his aching muscles relax was heaven. It took no time for the Oban to settle in and sip on the mead, glancing around a long moment before turning back to his friend.
"I'm sure you have every idea how good it feels to sit down after that spar. I don't think I've worked that hard since I officially joined the Army."
And it was true, he mostly was left learning about the beasts of Oba, and strategies to best tame them. It was refreshing to get a real work out with someone he fully trusted would test him to his fullest.
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:55 pm
Saraf sat down a seat that allowed him to see the door to the bar, gave a glance around, before his attention turned to Nuri, giving his friend a smile, "I am more then happy to get some time to rest up after our sparring match. I think it's something that we should do more often, it will help to sharpen our skills." One never knew what the future might bring after all. He knew full well that the war against the northern savages was over, but that didn't meant that things would be peaceful forever. He wanted to be ready for whatever it was that would come next, and he knew that something would be coming. Peace wasn't something that was lasting after all. Taking a sip from his drink he said, "It's a shame that our army training seems to be a little too easy these days. I think the fact that the war is over and things have changed so much has become an excuse for some not train as hard as they should. If anything what happened should just prove to us that we need to work harder." Saraf paused, blinked a couple times, then laughed, "Sorry, I get a bit zealous at times when it comes to that sort of thing." He had his goals that he meant to attain and at times that meant him getting really worked up. Taking another drink from his cup he did his best to keep from going on and on about his beliefs on various subjects since he knew he could sound preachy at times.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:23 am
Nodding, Nuri took a sip of his drink again, "You know I wont turn down a good spar. It is rare these days that I get to do much fighting. Our main focus is on the familiars."
He didn't mind the familiar training, but sometimes he would be fighting on his own, so he needed to continue to hone his skills to the best of his ability, "I am not disagreeing with you, friend. I don't mind the light training and focusing on taming, but war was only just a few years ago. Who knows when some foolhearty group will come knocking on our door. It's best we stay the top of the pack, otherwise we will get overrun."
Shaking his head, he finally leaned back a bit and relaxed, still feeling his muscles tighten up. He would be very sore tomorrow.
"Based on how I fared, I do need to practice more."
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Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
"Is that so?" He murmured, looking a touch surprised by the fact that Nuri's main focus was on training familiars. He supposed that it made sense, that he would need to put in a lot of extra time and effort if he was going to train dangerous animals. Still, it seemed as though it meant that there was less time for Nuri to train himself. What if something went wrong? What if his familiar was killed in battle? If that happened then Nuri might not be prepared for what came next because he'd spent more time training his beasts then himself. It wasn't a thought that Saraf much cared for. He'd rather his friend get equal training so that he too was battle ready. After a moment of thought Saraf said, "Any time you feel up to sparring just let me know. It will be good for both of us, I know I am in need of a lot of extra training myself." The commented came along with him momentarily rubbing a hand against his bad eye. Training would allow him to over come his bad eye, but that meant putting in a lot of long hours building up his strength so the handicap wouldn't hold him back. "We can help one another to be ready for whatever the world might throw at us in the future." He said with a smile before taking another sip of his drink.
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Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 12:54 pm
As Saraf took a moment for thought, Nuri took a moment to take another drink. It was doing the job, and he was quite glad for the suggestion. It was either drinks, or going back to his barracks and licking his wounds.
"You did quite a number on me...I really struggle without Naraka at my side. Training more without him will probably help."
He didn't realize he was echoing Saraf's thoughts, but it was true. His biggest weakness was his companion, just as it was his biggest strength. It was quite the struggle.
"You always talk of the Shifters...do you think they would rise up anytime soon to get their own revenge?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 8:56 pm
"It will likely be a benefit to you then if we continue to train together if you are weaker without your beast compantion. We don't want you to be weakened by that fact, nor do we want you to get in over your head if you're caught off guard and alone by some enemy." He was more then certain that the more dangerous and intelligent of enemies would likely wait for a point where Nuri was on his own to jump him. If he was with one of his beasts then they would likely be more leery since, as a beast master, the creatures would be back up for Nuri. If more training helped to keep Nuri sharp and ready no matter what then Saraf was only too happy to continue. Nuri was one of few that Saraf actually liked, meaning he wanted to keep him whole and healthy. Lifting a hand to brush it against the scar that marred Saraf's temple he gave a thoughtful sound before he said, "I doubt that they are the sort to rise up and fight fair from all I've seen of them. If anything they are more the honorless sort that will skulk about and stab a person in the back. If one wants to consider those that will 'rise up for revenge' that would be more likely a think the Matori would do." He didn't really trust the Shifters, not in the least bit, but if he wanted to make a guess at who posed more of a threat it would be those who were once former slaves to those of Oba. At least if any of them grew a backbone that was. From what he'd seen a lot of them scattered to the winds when they were released, something that he wouldn't complain about. They could leave if they wished, though he didn't care for how much it shook Oba up to lose them.
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2015 12:08 pm
Nuri didn't say anything, but he nodded his head to show his companion that he fully agreed. His drink was getting low, so he didn't take another pull from it yet. Instead, he let his hands push the clay cup around for a long moment as he listened to the second part of Saraf's answer.
"They do seem much more suited for life in the trees than fighting in the desert. They would have no where to hide if they faced us here in Oba. The Matori, on the other hand, have grown up here and are much more likely to survive conditions..." He rubbed his face again as he thought, "...but it seems they are much more content with their freedom and going back to their home. The few I've encountered either work here for pay or are on a way-way track to the water-logged land they call home. "
Nuri wasn't as impacted with them leaving, his family not having any slaves. But he did notice others who seemed to struggle with the transition still.
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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:51 pm
Saraf found himself wondering if the Shifters would even be able to survive here in Oba for all that long. If they weren't being kept by an Oban master he kind of doubted it. Giving a nod of his head he said, "As you say, better suited to tree life. As such here's to hoping that the majority of them stay in their trees." He said, lifting his cup to salute the thought before he took another drink from it. The mention of the Matori being content with returning to their 'water-logged land' caused him to give a laugh, "They are more then welcome to it. I can't say that Matori was ever a place that I wanted to visit even before the war." Too much water, too many Water Tribesmen, and too much hassle made it that the place didn't interest Saraf in the least bit. Finishing off his drink Saraf said, "Since you were kind enough to treat me to the first round I will cover the second, if you're wanting another drink?" He found himself wondering how good Nuri was at holding his liquor. He supposed, if Nuri accepted another drink, that he'd find out. He wasn't in a rush to get back home since his mother was out and wouldn't need him for anything, meaning that they could hang out for a while at least.
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Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 11:46 am
Keeping silent in thought, Nuri nodded as Saraf offered another drink, signalling the same drink would be fine. There was time, and now that he was seated, his muscles were quite content to stay where they were at. He'd regret it in the morning, but for now he was just fine.
As he waited for Saraf to get the drinks, he rubbed his head and continued to ponder.
"I think the only reason I would visit that place, or any place, is for the beasts..." Nuri explained when Saraf returned, thanking him for the drink and taking a long pull, "...it's something that I think we are weak for...only focusing on our own beasts, and not those around us. We may know how to kill, but we don't know much else about the beasts of this land."
It had been a constant thought on his mind, how he could become something more than a simple tamer in the army.
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Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 3:29 pm
Saraf thought on it for a moment, then gave a slow nod, "I suppose that could be a reason to go there, at least for a beast tamer like you. I hear they have some interesting creatures prowling their lands, and we did see a few during the different battles." He supposed he could understand why one like Nuri would want to get those sorts of beasts when it came Saraf he'd much rather get himself an Oban beast. A nice, big, intimidating janarim would serve him well once he became an officer. He gave a bit of a smile at the thought. "Learning about the different beasts would help our soldiers out I bet. It would allow for you teach others about them, how to deal with them in battle, and the like. Better to have the knowledge before hand then to have our men go in blind." He murmured, then after a sip he said, "Not that I want you to think that I only want for you to learn to kill foreign creatures. I am sure that a beast tamer sees them as more then simple obstacles on the battlefield. The last thing I want is for you to think I am belittling what you do when it's of great importance." Not as though Saraf had a snowball's chance in Oba to control one of those giant warbeasts after all. Giving a smile Saraf said, "As a fellow soldier and a friend I will support you anyway I can, Nuri." Nuri was after all one of few that Saraf really trusted to have his back.
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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 6:28 pm
Nuri kept silent, but understood where Saraf was coming from. If you weren't a tamer, it was easy to look at any thing as an enemy, man or beast. And when you see an enemy, you seek weakness to take them down as quickly as possible. That was the Oban way. Strong. Relentless. Swift.
"A lot of tamers feel that our beasts are the greatest. I want to test that, and see if there are any out there that might be solid contenders. Knowing their weak points for a kill is fine, but knowing how to take and take advantage of their strengths, and understand them will help us tremendously."
He just needed to persuade his officers of that advantage.
"And I the same, Saraf. If there is anything I can do for you, do not hesitate to let me know...even if I end up bruised for days to come."
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