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+---- Thread: [Training] Test, Test, Test (/showthread.php?tid=9516)
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Test, Test, Test - Zavien - 05-14-2024
Zavien steps into The Dragon's Nest, looking around in awe. The massive walls and openings are big enough for scores of dragons while they are surrounded by evidence of their victories through trophies and art. Each piece draws his attention in reverence. He wasn't sure when he first heard of the Dragoons, but he remembered his mom laughing as he used wooden spoons as swords in the kitchen and sparred anyone who was willing. He'd been obsessed with the Dragoons and being just like them. His mom had supported his dream, even giving him fake 'monsters' to fight on their dark walks through Stormbreak. Although it hadn't mattered in the end, since the worst creature ended up being human. As he grew older, he'd made it his goal to join one day for her, hence his daily strenuous trainings on the Righteous Climb and determination to become stronger.
Now he, Zavien Alexander, stood in their base as a potential candidate. They hadn't exactly invited him to apply, but with the circumstances of the Void in Stormbreak, his concern for everyone's safety was increasing. And a small bird may have mentioned that the Dragoons might be looking for new members. So he tentatively walks through the hallways until he finds someone and asks, [say]"Do you know where I can find the Captain? I was hoping to meet with her?"[/say] His nerves are running high and he hides them with an official tone, adding a kind smile for good measure.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Anju - 05-20-2024
The Dragoons are admittedly always looking for new recruits, but with so many disappearing into the night or otherwise withdrawing from the ranks with Dahlia's ascension to the throne, Anju can't afford to be picky in ways she certainly has been in the past. Word travels swiftly through the Nest however, and she is summoned to the ground floor training hall within minutes of Zavien asking one of the soldiers for her whereabouts.
Riya jogs at her side, clever eyes gleaming and nostrils flaring with smoke and embers that betray her excitement over the new face in their midst. It is only the awareness that this is a professional meeting that keeps her from launching herself at Zavien as Anju can feel she desires to.
Already dressed in her Captain's regalia, Anju's eyes swiftly move over the man before her as she extends one hand toward him to shake. [say]"Anju, Captain of the Dragoons. What brings you here?"[/say] Ever to the point, she drops her free hand to Riya's head to both keep her sister composed and to help guide herself through her eternal weakness of socialization.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Zavien - 05-20-2024
Zavien watches as the woman approaches, the attire clueing him into her identity before the introduction. His attention goes immediately to the dragon at her side and its graceful strength being barely contained by her hand. He smiles kindly before straightening his back and offering his hand in turn. [say]"Zavien Alexander. I was sent here by Koa. He mentioned that you may be open to new applicants."[/say] Koa had been very encouraging, especially as he'd pelted him with snowballs while Pip screeched in his ears.
He rolls his shoulders and glances around the dirt training ground nervously. Zavien is sure the process will be more complicated than just saying 'please,' so he looks around for any tests that may appear out of thin air. An obstacle course? Fighting monsters? Math? He has no idea what to expect. Trying to look a little more confident than he feels, he gives Anju a large grin. [say]"So, how does this work?"[/say]
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Anju - 06-02-2024
Koa's name has one brow rising, though she hides flawlessly the panic and relief that war within her instantaneously at the admission. [say]"We are always keen on testing the mettle of interested recruits. When did you speak with him?"[/say] A subtle ploy for more information to ease her heart which trembles with rare fervor in her chest. Anju loves few things in this world, but the Carpenter family is chief among them.
His grin has her own emerging, though it is far more subdued. It makes up for it in sharpness. [say]"You fight me, of course."[/say] It sounds simple on the outside, but Anju is not Captain for shallow or simple reasons. She is an imposing woman, and with plenty of experience to back it. [say]"Dragoons are trained in all manner of weaponry, but sword and shield are chief among them. If you want to be tested here and now, I can arm you."[/say] They are never lacking in training implements, stored in nigh every room of the Nest.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Zavien - 06-02-2024
A few recent memories flash in his mind of the Dragoon guildmaster, but he tries to ignore the fact that the last time was a secret rendezvous in the Celestine. Instead, he thinks about the snowball fight at the Last Step, when he'd embarrassingly tumbled down the stairs. Grimacing, he considers when that was (what are timelines?). That must have been - [say]"A few weeks ago? He gave me his own entrance exam, welcoming me to the Dragoons but I didn't want to claim the position without first gaining the approval of the Captain."[/say] It isn't a lie and he subtly shuffles his feet to calm his nerves.
Anju's sharp grin increases his nerves, making his smile waver. Did she say fight her? The Captain?! Trying to disguise the deflation of his already low confidence, Zavien chuckles lightly. [say]"Of course. I would expect nothing less."[/say] He had known the test wouldn't be easy, but wouldn't this be impossible? He's a self-trained street rat while she's the experienced leader of an elite fighting force. But maybe if he impressed her with courage and determination, that would be enough.
Gesturing to the sheathed sword at his hip, he smiles. [say]"A sword should work fine."[/say]
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Anju - 06-05-2024
Anju is an impressively unflappable woman, but for just one moment something like crushing relief breaks her smooth expression, and her breath trembles quietly on the exhale. Koa. Alive. Alive and still the charming fool she’s always known him to be. It takes every fiber of restraint in her body and the additional help of blunt pain on her palms from her own nails to keep herself rooted to the training floor instead of shoving past Zavien to find Koa and confirm his safety with her own eyes. She’s never sure who is watching these days; any overt interest or weakness is a dagger to her throat.
[say]“He is one of our best, so his welcome holds weight.”[/say] Is, not was. No matter how long his absence or how far he has strayed, he will always be a Dragoon. It is deeply unfair for her mind to be so utterly elsewhere with Zavien nervous and eager before her, but at least it’s not readily apparent.
Pleased he’s come prepared, Anju intentionally does not comfort him. The spar is not meant to be won, but if she tells him anything more he simply won’t naturally display the things she needs to see. With a tilt of her head Riya goes bounding off to retrieve a training sword; the one on the Captain’s hip is far too sharp when she is uncertain of Zavien’s skill level. Taking it upon her sister’s return, she spins it neatly to familiarize herself with the weight and balance before readying herself in a practiced stance. [say]“You may have first strike.”[/say] And all the extra time to consider his approach if he needs it.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Zavien - 06-05-2024
He is relieved to hear that Koa's support may provide an extra boost to his application, but it doesn't alleviate the twisting anxiety in his gut. Zavien takes a deep breath and wiggles his fingers to redirect the feeling elsewhere. Like a shifting tide, it rushes outwards, flooding his limbs with warmth that tingles with latent energy. Smiling at the familiar sensation, he retrieves his own practice sword. He may not be able to come close to landing a hit, but he doesn't trust his skills enough to stop a strike that somehow slips past her guard. Nodding his head, he accepts the offer to strike first as a command. [say]"Yes, ma'am."[/say]
When he stands before the Captain again, Zavien lets the calm still his racing mind, narrowing his focus to the opponent before him. It may not be a life-or-death battle - it may not even be a fair fight - however, he takes his training as serious as if it were his last every time. Failure to do so would hinder him when the real deal came around. With that in mind, he circles around her slowly, cautiously, assessing.
Looking for an opening and finding none, he darts in to attempt a two-handed sword strike against her thigh before twisting back around in a sweeping leg, using his blade to protect his back in the process. It's a skill he learned when training with the kids, who always managed to find where his guard was lacking.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Anju - 06-14-2024
Sharp mahogany irises remain unblinkingly fixed on Zavien for the dual purpose of anticipation and evaluation. The focused and intentional redirection of his nervousness is a good sign, and his form is solid, if a rather standardized configuration. Good building blocks. She wonders if he is self-taught or if he’d learned from family, or perhaps a hired tutor or martial arts class?
His first blow would be yet more proof of standardization if it stood alone. Many hopeful recruits have stood before her and flourished their swords only to pause as if believing a spar should be entirely sequential, expecting her to respond with a block and a singular strike of her own. As if war is remotely predictable or structured. So Anju angles her sword to catch the first strike, neatly angled so that her own blade won’t cut her even if his strength had managed to force it back against her thigh. The sweep is far more impressive, and would certainly work on some of the other less experienced recruits - but Anju has trained herself out of unnecessary evasion, and will not be so easily put on the defensive.
Instead - given his back is protected against her weapon - Anju moves fast and hard into the space just behind his knee that naturally opens as he swings his leg out. She braces in a wider stance to not be swept from her feet but willingly takes the hard, concussive connection of his strike to her calf. It’s worth it for the proximity advantage while he’s less stable, and Anju shoves hard with her shoulder and elbow to try and force him back harshly - or perhaps even down onto the floor if his reaction time is lacking.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Zavien - 06-14-2024
As expected, Zavien feels the impact of his practice sword against hers and the rush of wind as he spins into his sweeping leg. However, unexpectedly, she steps into the space behind his knee, giving it little power or range. Her shove into his own shoulder has him jerking slightly forward before he stops himself with a hand that he then uses to support his next move. The trained and confident movements of her response make him steel his emotions for what could be a very humiliating defeat. Until then, he didn't intend to give up.
Using his hand and planted foot as anchors, he attempts to pull his hooked leg back to his body in order to bring Anju to the ground. His first sweep may not have been strong enough, but with the torque of his body, it would be harder to avoid this one. The other benefit of having his hand on the ground is that he is already preparing to stand and create distance should she fall. It isn't that he won't grapple with the woman, but he agreed to a spar, not a wrestling match. He'll leave that practice for the neighborhood kids.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Anju - 06-14-2024
Admittedly she hadn't expected him to roll with it the same way she had, and she wonders for a moment why he had been so nervous when his instincts are so good. Anju can train anyone to shoot an arrow or wield a sword, but she can't train instinct, heart, or courage where it doesn't naturally grow. That is what she has come to look for as a Captain.
If this were a real fight she would fight his twist, or throw her weight again to try and get an advantage in the early stages of grappling, but that's not the purpose of this spar. They seem to feel the same way in that regard. Anju falls forward to try and control as much of the momentum as she can in a practiced roll to minimize the impact on her shoulder and spine.
As Zavien springs back up she does the same, though she only comes up onto one knee to add her free hand back to her hilt. Using her waist as a pivot to twist and bring power and speed her arms alone wouldn't be able to provide, she swings horizontally right at Zavien's torso. Already her breathing is picking up and her heart is pumping, everything else falling away into a pinpoint of focus and exhilaration.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Zavien - 06-15-2024
Anju's expert roll past his head has his eyes widening in surprise. He'd expected a magnificent response, but not that. While she is tumbling into a kneeled position, Zavien is leaping to his feet and attempting to take his stance again. It comes easily and his is already bracing when her next attack comes.
The swinging sword comes faster than anticipated and he barely has time to place his own practice sword in its path. He clenches his teeth at the odd angle and strained effort, amazed by the power she is able to get from her lower placement. Zavien would definitely be trying that later. In the meantime, he attempts to slide his sword up hers and into the hilt, lunging forward slightly to increase his own force.
RE: [SE] Test, Test, Test - Anju - 06-20-2024
He deflects her, though not without difficulty. And instead of backing of for more space and time to think, he pushes on and forward, impressing her all the more. With her lower stance she has greater center of gravity and stability, but only for a short time. When Zavien lunges forward it puts her at a disadvantage this time, and though he doesn’t pull her sword from her grip it likely would have happened with a less experienced fighter.
Still, she’s forced to disengage, which is a compliment in its own right. Pushing up onto both feet, Anju breaks their strength stalemate by sharply buckling her elbows. It lets him win the fight for her hilt - but also allows her to bring a foot up to kick toward his chest, forcing him to choose whether to push his weapon advantage or protect his center.
RE: Test, Test, Test - Zavien - 06-20-2024
Up to this point, Zavien has been proud of his ability to hold his own. He gives the credit to his larger stature, sure that if Anju wanted to hurt him, he'd already be flat on his back. Even as he pushes through her strike, he notices the incredible skill that she possesses to persist against his strength. As she stands, he attempts to continue with his advantage, pressing her further.
Apparently that is a costly mistake. The kick to his abdomen is hard and throws him stumbling back in surprise. His abs block a good portion of the attack, but it still takes his breath away, sinking deep into his gut and forcing it into his throat. Zavien sets his jaw in a strained groan, a short cough breaking through his clenched teeth. He lunges back to gain some distance, holding his sword up to ward off further attacks for a moment.
It's the first landed blow of their spar and he knows that he'll be reminded of it every time he laughs, yet he smiles at her, enjoying the adrenaline of the fight. What could he say? She'd seen an opportunity and taken it. He should have been paying closer attention to her legs. With a painful chuckle, he nods his head in respect. [Say]"Nice hit."[/say] And then he proceeds to sink back into his stance, guarding his stomach a little closer.
RE: Test, Test, Test - Anju - 06-24-2024
Her kick lands, and as he catches himself - sword warding her away - Anju takes the opportunity to return to her own center, readjusting her grip on her sword. His praise has her quirking her lips, lunging forward with her sword without a response. Only to halt her swing mid-strike, forearms flexing as the momentum is swiftly cut whether Zavien has moved to intercept or not.
[say]“You’re beaten,”[/say] she informs him calmly. From behind, a soft sound is intentionally made, and if he turns his head he will find Riya at his back with fire licking silently at her teeth. It’s a deviation from sparring rules, but Anju has seen enough to make a decision on his request anyway, and it’s a good opportunity to remind him that battles will not always be so straightforward as steel on steel.
Smoothly hooking the training sword into the empty loop on her waist, Anju offers her hand to Zavien instead. A small smile - genuine - plays on her face. [say] “You have an impressive foundation and good instincts. You have my approval to join our ranks and to take the Dragoon title.”[/say] Koa’s blessing would have been enough, but she appreciates testing his mettle firsthand.