|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 4:50 pm
It had been a week since their last tackleball practice and Aerexa had gone into this with worries. The last time they'd played she kicked a ball so hard poor Lioe got the wind knocked out of him! She'd worried it would happen again this time, but reward wasn't without risk. So, when it came time for their game, she'd shown up to the pitch with a much bigger group of Vandrea (ten, to be exact) and started the game in earnest!
With as many as there were it was chaos. At first some of them didn't want to listen to Lioe's instructions while some simply couldn't hear over the rumble. She had to yell at a few of them more than once just so that Lioe's voice could be heard, but by the end of the day it was worth it. She'd beat Nieva's team - just by one point, but it counted! - and was utterly, thoroughly, exhausted.
The other Vandrea either spread out on the field to rest or were already on their way home when Aerexa walked over toward Lioe. She flopped down onto the ground with a huff, then further collapsed onto her back with a deep, tired sigh. "I don't think I'm going to be able to move for the next hundred years."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:09 pm
For the first time since he had gotten his job at the bookshop, Lioe had taken a full week off to recuperate from the traumatic incident. He had ended up with a heck of a bruise over the majority of his chest that stung with any extra movement. His father assured him nothing was broken though. By the time the end of the week came, it was more a mental barrier that he had to get around to get himself to walk to the field for the second round. He had heard there would be more of the Vandrea coming, but he honestly hadn't expected them all to actually be there! It was an intense scene and he was grateful for Aerexa's support in getting through the rules. He had stood well away from the field this time, half hidden by a tree for protection. The game had been.. frankly, it had been fun. He'd been forced to speak up to make calls, watching the women in action was impressive as anything else he'd ever seen, and seeing others get joy out of something he also enjoyed was simply satisfying. Nieva hadn't gotten a ball to the teeth, but Lioe was more than pleased to see Aerexa's team win in the end. Now here he was, watching the Vandrea relaxing after the game. Who would have thought? He looked over to Aerexa and smiled. "Right. You'll be up and ready to kick someone else's butt again tomorrow. Congratulations on your win."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2023 1:55 pm
There wasn't a spot on Aerexa's body that didn't ache, but there was pride in the pain. She'd fought her battle with everything she had, as did the rest of her kin, and in the end even if she'd lost - which she totally wasn't about to do - it would have been worthwhile. "Our win." She turned her head toward Lioe with the broad, stupid smile of someone who was high on pride. "I only won because of your training. You'd make a good mentor if you could learn how to yell." It wasn't even about being mean so much as getting your point across. Sometimes it just had to sound threatening even if it wasn't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2023 6:45 pm
Our win... Lioe's smile warmed with a hint of pride as well. "I guess I did help a little bit," he relented with amusement. This had been a most unexpected introduction to the world of the Vandrea, but it had been extremely enjoyable and eye-opening. Who would have thought that hanging out with a bunch of seven foot tall warriors would be fun? But his as a mentor? It.. really hadn't been that bad. "You really did pick it up quickly, you know. Made it a lot easier on me. How about this; I'll work on yelling and you work on aiming those kicks."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 11:44 am
Aerexa pulled up a handful of grass and tossed it at him. It was a weak effort, way more of a display than any actual attack, but her huff said it all. "It's all your fault. Your hair is so bright that it's hard for me to miss. Besides you need to work on dodging; my kicks are just fine.” Ignoring the fact that she’d knocked him out of commission for a week, of course. There was no one else around to do it for him so someone had to toughen him up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 12:07 pm
The grass earned a laugh and he copied the motion. Even as a youngling, he hadn't been one to particularly enjoy playing in the dirt. He wasn't about to go rolling around in the fields now, but he found himself enjoying the smell of the grass here. He had a good memory to connect it with... He'd been forced to step up and mostly met the challenge. It felt good. "So what you're saying is that you're easily distracted and need to work on your concentration," he egged back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 12:26 pm
"That's not what I said! You're putting words in my mouth." Aerexa shifted onto her side and propped her head up with a hand. When she caught his attention she stuck her tongue out at him, trying her best to look very put out, but really she couldn't hide back the grin. "Okay, maybe I need to focus more. I just get really caught up in the moment and it's hard to think straight." Aerexa lived by one philosophy; she was here for a good time, not a long one. Lioe just...got caught in the cross fire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 12:55 pm
"That's what it sounded like." He chuckled lightly and waved his hand. "Well, it was a big moment for you. First time playing tackleball with someone you were determined to beat." He let himself fall back gently and look up at the trees. "I still can't believe you got so many to come out here. They must really like you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 1:23 pm
"Me? Nah." Aerexa shook her head before relaxing back against the grass. The Vandrea raised her arms and crossed her hands underneath her head. "They respect my mother, Stryxx. She's a pretty amazing huntress and she has a solid reputation. I don't know of anyone whose taken down as many massive beasts like she has. If you can think of it then my mother has problem killed at least a dozen of them."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 1:43 pm
His lips pursed the slightest bit at the denial. Sometimes, it really was less about what you knew than who you knew.. "I shouldn't be surprised. It would take a strong person to raise you." Frankly, it made her think of his uncle. He would sure have taken down his share of large beasts. He looked over and smirked lightly. "So how soon are you planning to beat her record?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 2:19 pm
Aerexa immediately grinned from ear to ear and when she stretched it was with a proud sigh. "Yeah, I am pretty amazing, aren't I?" She had no qualms whatsoever giving into her braggart tendencies. "As soon as I can! Someday soon I want to go to the Kahi and punch a giant, fanged fish square in the jaw!" Aerexa punched the air. "I'll take down all of their water giants and then I'll move onto the next place that hasn't felt my wrath."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 2:42 pm
"A fish?" Lioe stared for a minute. "You want to punch a fish? How big can fish get? ..How do you plan to do that anyway?" He couldn't imagine flailing about in the water trying to beat something that was born in that environment! Well.. him beating anything sort of beast was laughable. Could Vandrea walk on water? "However you do it, I bet it'd be a good story. I could write about your adventure."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 2:48 pm
"Lioooeee, you're the one who reads so much, how do you not know about sea monsters?" She raised her hands into the air, "They're massive! The fish that roam the seas between Matori and Yael can take out a ship so imagine what they're like around the Kahi! Huge, jagged teeth and rows, Lioe! Rows on rows on rows of teeth big enough to chew bone." Any sane person would have been terrified or at least put off by the notion. Aerexa was practically buzzing with excitement. "Why don't you just come with me? Not much of a story if you don't get all the details right and goddess knows I'm not going to remember them."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 3:06 pm
Lioe snorted. "Seriously? Sea monsters? I doubt those are actually real. Probably just tall tales from sailors trying to make their work sound interesting." While it wasn't inconceivable, he also thought it was unlikely. There were some scary creatures out there, but giant sea monsters? Come?! Did she know who she was talking to? "Aerexa, I'm not really the adventure type. Plus, I can barely swim. Going over the ocean in the airships is stressful enough, but onto a boat or actually diving in?" He shook his head at the though. "I'd just.." he gave a light shrug, "..get in your way. Wait, how are you planning to tell everyone what you did if you can't even remember what happens?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 3:12 pm
Aerexa shifted once again, but this time to sit up. With one leg crossed under her for balance, the Vandrea stretched other out infront of her and gave Lioe a droll look. "They're real. I'll bet you five gold they are." And to top it off, "And if they aren't I'll read whatever book you want. Even if it's big enough to anchor a ship." Her mother had fought and killed sea monsters before. They were real; it was a straight fact. "I can't swim either, but I'm going to learn. Lioe, the only time you can't do something is when you tell yourself you can't do it." She shook her head. "I wouldn't offer to bring you along if I thought you were going to get in the way, but...if you really don't want to come you don't have to. As far as remembering everything...I can figure it out. Maybe I'll just bring back it's head or something. That'll fit on a boat."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
